The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country, even as it inaugurated a communication sub-committee under the Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness to strengthen public awareness and emergency response.

The reassurance came yesterday from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the inaugural meeting of the Communication Sub-Committee of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats in Abuja.

His assurance comes amid renewed concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Uganda also recording imported and linked cases.

This has prompted heightened regional surveillance and preparedness measures. Idris, however, maintained that Nigeria remains free of the disease and urged citizens not to panic.

“Let me reassure Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. However, recent developments elsewhere in Africa remind us that infectious diseases know no borders,” the minister said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Task Force, describing it as a proactive step to safeguard public health through improved coordination, preparedness and timely intervention.

According to the minister, effective communication will be central to the country’s response to any public health emergency, warning that misinformation could undermine official efforts.

“Accurate, timely and science-based information saves lives, while misinformation and rumours can undermine public confidence and hinder effective response,” Idris said.

He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, attributing the achievement to decisive leadership, coordinated action, efficient disease surveillance and sustained public enlightenment.

The minister disclosed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had already commenced nationwide sensitisation using approved health messages developed jointly with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

He said government agencies were working together to ensure Nigerians receive only verified information on the disease.

“Our message to Nigerians must remain clear: there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria; there is no cause for panic; government is fully prepared and vigilant,” Idris stated.

He advised Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, promptly report suspected symptoms to health authorities and rely solely on official government channels for information on the disease.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the task force; the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu; National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya; President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku; Vice-President (North) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Hamza Idris, and other stakeholders.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation in October 2014 after successfully containing an outbreak that infected 20 people and claimed eight lives following the arrival of an infected traveller in Lagos.

The country’s rapid response has since been widely cited as a model for outbreak containment.