The Federal Government has approved the release of N21.2 million to each state under the State Outbreak Investigation and Response Fund (S-OIRF) to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, approved the disbursement of 50 per cent of the fund allocation to states as part of ongoing efforts to bolster Nigeria’s disease surveillance, preparedness and emergency response systems.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, said the funds would be disbursed through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) gateway under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The ministry said the intervention is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the country’s readiness against Ebola and other potential disease outbreaks, despite the absence of any confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria.

According to Bako, the approval complements the work of the multi-sectoral Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness and Other Health Threats, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He noted that the fund would enable states to enhance disease surveillance, improve preparedness plans, strengthen rapid response mechanisms and build resilience against public health emergencies.

The minister directed all beneficiary states to account for both current and previously disbursed outbreak response funds within six months and ensure strict compliance with financial management, reporting and accountability procedures.

“This approval reflects our commitment to both health security and accountability. We will continue to support states to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats while ensuring transparency in the use of public resources,” Pate said.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting national health security through strategic investments in preparedness, disease prevention and coordinated emergency response systems.

The latest intervention follows Friday’s inauguration of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, established to safeguard the country against a possible outbreak and avoid a repeat of the challenges experienced during previous health emergencies.

At the inauguration, Gbajabiamila said the government was focused on preventive action rather than crisis management.

“Nigeria must not be caught off guard. Right now, there is no reported case, and that is good news. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the measures we are taking are preventive and not curative,” he said.

The approval also comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu authorised the release of N10 billion in emergency intervention funding to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.

Public health experts have described the proactive measures as critical to sustaining the country’s disease surveillance architecture and ensuring a swift response should any outbreak occur.