- Abayomi said the goal was to strengthen safeguards against the virus while ensuring smooth passenger movement through the airport
- She added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to strengthening health security measures across the state
Health authorities in Lagos State are considering measures to minimise contact between passengers arriving from countries affected by Ebola and other travellers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) as part of efforts to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the proposal emerged during a preparedness assessment and inspection exercise held at the airport on Sunday.
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The meeting brought together state health officials, aviation regulators and airport authorities to review existing surveillance systems, emergency response plans and passenger screening procedures amid renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.
The delegation was led by Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, alongside key officials from the Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. They were received by airport management and representatives of relevant agencies, including Port Health Services, FAAN and the NCAA.
The review follows heightened concern across Africa over the resurgence of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, prompting Lagos authorities to strengthen disease-monitoring measures at Nigeria’s busiest international airport.
Speaking during the visit, Abayomi said the goal was to strengthen safeguards against the virus while ensuring smooth passenger movement through the airport.
According to him, authorities are evaluating strategies that would reduce unnecessary interaction between travellers arriving from high-risk countries and other passengers without disrupting airport operations.
He recalled Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, noting that the country’s success in containing the disease was made possible through effective surveillance, contact tracing and the dedication of health workers, including the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.
The commissioner stressed that MMIA remains a critical point of entry into Nigeria, handling the majority of international arrivals, making it a priority location for disease surveillance and prevention efforts.
Lagos State Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, emphassed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, airport operators and frontline personnel, describing airport workers as the first line of defence against imported infectious diseases.
She added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to strengthening health security measures across the state.
Airport authorities disclosed that preparations have already been enhanced through the installation of touchless sanitising systems, temperature-monitoring devices and improved screening procedures for arriving passengers.
Airport Manager and Regional General Manager, South-West MMIA, Olatokunbo Arewa, said discussions were ongoing regarding dedicated processing channels for travellers arriving from countries considered high risk.
Officials from Port Health Services also revealed that the airport’s Public Health Emergency Contingency Plan had been updated earlier this year and that emergency response teams had already been activated to respond swiftly to any suspected case.
Other stakeholders, including the NCAA and FAAN medical units, said additional protective equipment, awareness campaigns and staff training programmes had been introduced to strengthen preparedness.
The inspection concluded with a tour of screening facilities and other strategic areas within the airport, with officials reaffirming their commitment to information sharing, coordinated response mechanisms and rapid intervention if required.
Although the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has not recorded any Ebola case in the country, health authorities insist that continuous vigilance remains necessary as outbreaks persist in parts of Africa.
Recent figures released by the World Health Organisation indicate that hundreds of suspected Ebola cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with dozens of confirmed deaths recorded across the affected countries.
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