President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦45 billion for the deployment of an integrated biosecurity and disease surveillance system at five international airports in Nigeria to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President.
Pate identified the five airports as Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Port Harcourt International Airport and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
According to the minister, the project will be implemented through a 20-year public-private partnership with the BioHealth Consortium.
The system will deploy technologies such as aircraft wastewater surveillance, air and surface sampling, and specialised pathogen detection equipment to identify potential disease threats and strengthen surveillance at the country’s entry points.
Pate explained that the initiative would monitor a broad range of dangerous pathogens, enabling health authorities to detect emerging infectious diseases more effectively and respond promptly to potential outbreaks.
He added that the project would also improve coordination among relevant agencies and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard public health and strengthen health security at its borders.
The initiative comes amid growing global efforts to strengthen disease surveillance and preparedness following the public health challenges associated with infectious disease outbreaks.
The government is expected to rely on the new system to improve early detection, support timely interventions and reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading across the country through international travel.
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