The Senate has expressed concern over gaps in the nation’s public health emergency preparedness and response system.
This followed the confirmation of a COVID-19 case in Cross River State. The Red Chamber called for swift and coordinated measures to prevent a possible outbreak.
The Senate’s resolution came after the consideration and adoption of a motion sponsored by Ipalibo Harry Banigo (APC, Rivers West).
In her lead debate, Banigo highlighted what she described as systemic deficiencies in surveillance, funding, and rapid response capacity.
She warned that if not urgently addressed, the shortcomings could further strain the country’s healthcare system.
Referring to Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), she stressed the duty of government at all levels to protect the health and welfare of citizens.
The Rivers West senator disclosed that the confirmed case involved a 53-year-old foreigner who entered Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on March 17, proceeded to Calabar the same day, showed symptoms on April 12, and tested positive on April 16 after PCR confirmation at the national reference laboratory.
She raised concern over epidemiological findings indicating a timeline beyond the expected incubation period, sparking fears of possible local transmission.
Banigo revealed that additional suspected cases had been identified, with contact tracing and laboratory investigations currently ongoing.
The lawmaker cautioned that Nigeria’s outbreak response capacity was being weakened by severe shortages of essential materials such as Viral Transport Media, PCR reagents, rapid test kits, and personal protective equipment.
According to her, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is presently limited by delayed budget releases, procurement challenges, and insufficient capital funding since 2025.
According to the motion, Nigeria’s federal–state collaborative framework for public health response requires stronger coordination and consistent financing.
She noted that previous experiences with COVID-19, Lassa fever, and Ebola preparedness drills have shown that delays in detection and disjointed responses can significantly worsen outbreak outcomes.
She observed that existing gaps could result in delayed containment, wider spread across states, and increased risks to frontline health workers, who remain exposed due to inadequate protective equipment.
She also warned that continued shortages of response materials could undermine public confidence and weaken the country’s epidemic intelligence system.
Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to scale up surveillance, testing, and contact tracing nationwide.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to fast-track the release of funds and consider activating emergency financing mechanisms.
The Red Chamber further directed the NCDC to present a detailed report outlining national preparedness levels, including stockpiles, laboratory capacity, and surveillance gaps.
It emphasised the need for strong public health communication to counter misinformation and ease public anxiety.
State governments were also urged to boost sub-national preparedness through increased funding, prompt procurement of essential supplies, and enhanced support for surveillance and rapid response systems.
The Senate warned that failure to urgently tackle funding and supply chain challenges could worsen preventable public health emergencies, placing millions of Nigerians at risk.
