NIS Dismisses Fears Over Ebola Entry Through Nigeria’s Land Borders

NIS Dismisses Fears Over Ebola Entry Through Nigeria’s Land Borders
Immigration authorities deploy technology and personnel for enhanced border surveillance
Nigeria records no confirmed Ebola case linked to current regional outbreak

The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS has dismissed concerns that the country’s land borders could become unchecked entry routes for the Ebola virus currently spreading across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the service maintained that all border crossings are manned and supported by digital surveillance systems designed to monitor difficult routes and prevent illegal entry into the country.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, the spokesperson for the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, said Nigeria’s borders remain under active monitoring despite growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of East and Central Africa.

“Our borders are not porous. Anyone who comes in through our borders is known. They must show proper documents, including an international health certificate,” Akinlabi stated.

Nigeria shares more than 4,000 kilometres of land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. While reports have highlighted the existence of informal crossing routes beyond official posts, the immigration service insisted that personnel and technology are being combined to strengthen border security.

According to Akinlabi, the Federal Government has deployed systems such as the Integrated Border Management System and the Migration Information and Data Analysis System to improve surveillance and close monitoring gaps.

“With the expansiveness of our borders, we are using technology to close that gap, monitor and police the border,” he added.

The NIS also stated that it is awaiting further advisories from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health regarding additional measures to tackle the Ebola threat.

The World Health Organisation WHO had on May 17, 2026, declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after nearly 90 deaths were recorded.

NIS Dismisses Fears Over Ebola Entry Through Nigeria’s Land Borders

Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case linked to the current outbreak. However, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN said health screening and safety protocols have already been intensified at international airports across the country.