Health

Nigerian health authorities are intensifying surveillance and emergency preparedness efforts as the country battles a fresh rise in Lassa fever infections while guarding against the risk of Ebola importation from neighbouring countries. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged states to strengthen early detection systems, improve laboratory capacity and reinforce public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of infectious diseases.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed three alcohol manufacturing plants in Ota, Ogun State, for breaking the federal government's ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and micro PET bottles. In January, NAFDAC stated that its enforcement of the restriction on alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles was intended to protect children and young people rather than punish businesses.

Nigeria has recorded a fresh increase in confirmed Lassa fever infections, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 31 new cases during epidemiological week 26 of 2026. The latest figure represents a rise from the 22 cases recorded in the previous week, highlighting continued concerns over the spread of the disease across the country.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lassa fever has killed 214 people in Nigeria, increasing the case fatality rate to 25%. The NCDC's Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 23 (June 1–June 7, 2026) included this information.

As Nigeria moves deeper into the rainy season, health authorities are once again grappling with the resurgence of cholera, a recurring public health challenge that continues to threaten vulnerable communities across the country. The disease has re-emerged in parts of Northern Nigeria, resulting in fatalities and thousands of infections, particularly in Plateau and Borno states. In response, several other states have stepped up surveillance and preparedness efforts to avert potential outbreaks.

In an effort to bolster health security and enhance readiness for disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies, the Ekiti State Government established a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Steering Committee.