The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and Port Health Services, has intensified measures to prevent the importation and spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The move follows a joint inspection of the airport’s preparedness facilities aimed at assessing its capacity to detect, monitor, and respond to any potential Ebola threat amid renewed concerns over the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The inspection team comprised key stakeholders from the aviation and health sectors, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi; Airport Manager, MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; General Manager, Aviation Medical Services, FAAN, Dr. Bilikisu Ibrahim; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus-Salam, among others.
Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Abayomi commended FAAN and other stakeholders for their proactive response to developments surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the preventive measures already implemented at the airport.
He stressed the need for heightened vigilance and enhanced surveillance, particularly for passengers arriving from countries classified as high-risk.
According to him, robust procedures must be maintained to identify, isolate where necessary, and closely monitor travellers from such destinations, while ensuring strict adherence to established public health protocols.
The Commissioner noted that sustained collaboration among relevant agencies remains critical to preventing the importation and spread of infectious diseases through Nigeria’s busiest airport.
“Protecting public health must remain a top priority, and that requires continuous coordination and vigilance from all stakeholders,” he said.
In his remarks, the Airport Manager, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa, reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to maintaining all necessary preventive measures and complying with established health regulations.
He called for stronger synergy among stakeholders and emphasised the importance of swift intervention whenever symptoms suggestive of Ebola are identified in any traveller.
“Prompt detection, reporting, and response are essential to preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the airport environment and beyond,” Arewa stated.
Also briefing the delegation, the Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry (PoE) Team at MMIA, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, disclosed that the airport’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan had been reviewed, while comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted.
According to him, airlines operating from high-risk destinations have been identified, passenger screening protocols have been strengthened, and screening forms are being administered to travellers arriving on such flights.
He added that all stakeholders have been assigned clearly defined responsibilities under the emergency response framework to ensure coordinated action in the event of any suspected case.
Dr. Bilikisu Ibrahim further revealed that FAAN and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have continued to collaborate closely by sharing information and coordinating response efforts in line with international health regulations and global best practices.
She noted that airport personnel and stakeholders have been adequately sensitised and trained to identify, report, and respond effectively to potential public health threats.
As part of the inspection, members of the Lagos State Government delegation toured critical airport facilities to verify compliance with Ebola surveillance, screening, and prevention protocols.
The exercise underscored the collective commitment of health and aviation authorities to maintaining a high level of preparedness and ensuring that MMIA remains equipped to respond effectively to any public health emergency.
