Receiving the management team of the NCDC in his office, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, disclosed that more than 300 small-scale and artisanal miners had been organised into cooperatives, as part of ongoing persuasive efforts to steer them away from illegal mining and integrate them into the formal sector.

According to him, the Bola Tinubu administration has so far arrested over 300 illegal miners while about 150 including foreigners, are currently undergoing prosecution.

He further disclosed the North Central region had benefitted immensely from the  ministry’s local value addition policy as new mineral processing projects had taken off in the region.

According to the minister, through value addition policy, mining is contributing more than $2 billion to the country’s economy as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration continues to develop the regenerative sectors of the economy.

He explained that the policy was designed to encourage in-country processing and beneficiation of mineral resources, thereby reducing raw material exportation while boosting industrial growth, job creation, and overall economic diversification.

He assured that the president was focused on building enduring legacies, noting that the commission stood as one of such lasting institutions.

Alake further highlighted the need for a robust working relationship between the ministry and other development commissions, stressing the critical role of the solid minerals sector in driving broader economic growth.

He assured the commission of the ministry’s total support in delivering on its mandate, while urging its leadership to prioritise strategic collaboration, transparency and effective project execution to maximise impact across the region.

“You have a very critical role to play and note that you are not doing it for the president or the government. You’re doing it for the Nigerian nation. And your own names would also be etched in the sands of time, that when you were there, when you had the opportunity, you made your own contributions. This is my own guiding philosophy and your conscience will be clear and you can go to bed in peace. You don’t have to make material acquisition your main focus because materialism is transient, a flash in the pan,” the minister advised.

Earlier, the Managing Director, NCDC, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, said the visit was meant to seek areas of collaboration between the two institutions.

Tsenyil noted that such partnerships were essential for aligning their efforts, leveraging shared resources, and driving sustainable development initiatives across the North Central region.

While highlighting the region’s rich mineral deposits, the MD proposed the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, to drive development in the sub-sector.

The meeting concluded with a commitment by both institutions to establish a technical working committee to drive progress.

The NCDC is a federal government agency established by law set up to drive development in Nigeria’s North Central region.

The enabling law is the North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Act (2024)  under President Bola Tinubu.

The commission focuses on the North Central geopolitical zone, which includes Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

The NCDC was created to close this development gap, similar to what agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, do in their regions.

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The NCDC disclosed this on Friday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 10 (2nd – 8th March, 2026).

The report indicates that the fatality rate is significantly higher than the 18.3 per cent recorded within the same period in 2025, raising fresh concerns among public health experts.

It stated that although the number of confirmed cases declined in the reporting week, the death rate remained a major concern.

“In week 10, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 65 in Epidemiological Week 9 to 40,” the report noted.

The report showed that the confirmed cases were recorded in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Edo, Kogi, Gombe and Cross River states.

Cumulatively, Nigeria has recorded 516 confirmed cases and 2,821 suspected cases across 20 states and 78 local government areas as of week 10.

The report further revealed that five states—Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo—accounted for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases, indicating persistent hotspots in these areas.

A breakdown showed that Bauchi accounted for 28 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Ondo (21 per cent), Taraba (19 per cent), Benue (9 per cent) and Edo (8 per cent).

According to the data, the most affected age group is 21 to 30 years, with cases ranging from 1 to 90 years and a median age of 30 years.

It added that the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases stood at 1:0.9.

The report identified late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, high cost of treatment, and poor environmental sanitation as key factors contributing to the rising fatality rate.

It also noted low awareness levels in high-burden communities and occasional infections among healthcare workers as ongoing challenges.

It, however, noted that no new healthcare worker infection was recorded in the reporting week.

To contain the outbreak, the agency said it had activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate response activities nationwide.

It listed response efforts adopted to include deploying National Rapid Response Teams to high-burden states, distributing personal protective equipment, providing treatment commodities such as Ribavirin, and strengthening surveillance and contact tracing.

The report also highlighted ongoing collaborations with partners, including the World Health Organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), to support outbreak control measures.

The NCDC has urged state governments to intensify community engagement and awareness campaigns, while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols.

It also called for strengthened capacity at the state level to ensure timely detection and response to Lassa fever cases.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus and is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents.

Nigeria records cases of the disease annually, particularly during the dry season when human exposure to infected rodents tends to increase.

Health authorities said early detection, prompt treatment and strict infection control measures remain critical to reducing mortality and preventing outbreaks.

Source: NAN

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The agency disclosed this in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 51, covering December 15 to 21, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of cases, deaths, and affected states across the country.

According to the report, people aged 21 to 30 years accounted for the highest burden of confirmed infections, with the median age among patients recorded at 30 years nationwide.

The NCDC noted that males were slightly more affected than females, reflecting gender differences in exposure or health-seeking behaviour in communities with high Lassa fever transmission risk.

So far, 206 deaths have been recorded among confirmed cases, representing a case fatality rate of 18.4 per cent, higher than the 16.4 per cent reported during the same period in 2024.

During Week 51 alone, 21 new confirmed cases and five deaths were reported, down from 28 confirmed cases in the previous week, indicating a modest week-on-week decline in new infections.

The cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Plateau states, with a total of 21 states across 105 local government areas recording at least one confirmed case in 2025.

Four states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba, accounted for 88 per cent of all confirmed infections, with Ondo State alone contributing 35 per cent of the nationwide total, the report highlighted.

The NCDC identified late presentation at treatment facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities as key challenges affecting outbreak control.

It urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and called on state authorities to strengthen risk communication and community engagement.

The centre said it would continue to coordinate a multi-sectoral national response, including surveillance, case management, laboratory support, and infection prevention and control activities in affected and at-risk communities.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rodents, while human-to-human transmission can also occur.

Source: NAN

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The event, announced online on Thursday, took place in Oxford through the Oxford Vaccine Group, a unit of the University of Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics.

The milestone marks the start of a first-in-human clinical trial of the ChAdOx1 Lassa vaccine, funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, CEPI.

Thirty-one healthy adults aged 18 to 55 will take part in the trial in Oxford, while a second phase-1 trial is expected to begin in Ghana early 2026.

Prof. Ramasamy Maheshi, Chief Investigator of the trial at Oxford, described the study as a “crucial step toward protecting vulnerable communities.”

“Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have in global health: they save lives, stop outbreaks, and strengthen health systems,” Maheshi said.

She noted that the vaccine was developed using the same platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, estimated to have saved six million lives in its first year alone.

“CEPI had earlier supported the preclinical development of the Lassa vaccine,” she added.

Dr Katrin Ramsauer, CEPI’s Lassa Disease Programme Lead, called the launch a “transformative milestone,” adding that progress so far reflects years of scientific innovation and global collaboration.

Ramsauer said that beyond the trial, regional efforts were underway to accelerate vaccine licensure and ensure equitable access.

“The Lassa Fever Coalition, led by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) with support from CEPI and partners, is coordinating steps toward eventual rollout across affected countries,” she said.

According to Dr Virgil Lokossou, Director of Healthcare Services at WAHO, Lassa fever has affected lives in West Africa for more than half a century, impacting families, livelihoods, hospitals, and economies.

“Our region is now taking bold steps to change that story,” he said.

Public health authorities in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, continue to record seasonal outbreaks, with healthcare workers among those at risk.

If successful, the Oxford vaccine could become one of the first licensed preventive vaccines against Lassa fever, a development experts say could dramatically reduce illness, deaths, and socioeconomic disruptions in West Africa.

Lassa fever, first discovered in Nigeria in the late 1960s, remains endemic across West Africa and continues to cause recurring outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality.

The virus, spread primarily by rodents, can lead to severe complications including deafness, bleeding, and death.

Source: NAN

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This statement came amid reports of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, said in a public health advisory issued on Saturday in Abuja that Nigeria was on high alert, enhancing surveillance at entry points, healthcare facilities, and communities.

Nigeria’s only Ebola outbreak occurred in 2014, when the virus was imported from Liberia by a traveller, resulting in 20 cases and eight deaths before successful containment.

The DRC Ministry of Health confirmed 28 suspected Ebola cases and 15 deaths on September 4 in Kasai Province, including four health workers, identifying the Ebola Zaire strain as the outbreak’s cause.

The outbreak has spread across Bulape and Mweka health zones and recorded a mortality rate of 57 per cent, raising concerns over the disease’s high fatality and potential for further spread.

According to Idris, there are currently no cases of Ebola in Nigeria, but preparedness has been intensified with infection control, border checks, and community risk communication to prevent importation and transmission.

He noted the DRC activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and deployed a rapid response team, receiving support from the World Health Organisation, WHO, to contain the outbreak effectively.

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Idris said the Ebola Zaire strain identified had an approved vaccine, Ervebo, which had been proven effective in controlling outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations in affected regions.

To protect Nigerians, he urged frequent handwashing with soap and water as regular hygiene, a key preventive measure to reduce transmission risk from contact with infected surfaces or individuals.

He advised avoiding physical contact with anyone showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding, which were common signs of Ebola infection and warranted immediate medical attention.

Idris warned against consuming raw or undercooked bushmeat and cautioned against contact with fruit bats, monkeys, and apes, which were known reservoirs for the Ebola virus in wildlife.

He encouraged Nigerians to report suspected Ebola cases or unusual illnesses, especially among those with recent travel to affected areas, by calling the NCDC toll-free line 6232 for prompt response.

Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, strictly follow infection prevention protocols, and report any suspected cases immediately to aid rapid containment and treatment efforts.

Idris further issued travel advice, urging Nigerians to avoid all but essential trips to countries currently experiencing Ebola outbreaks to minimise the risk of exposure and disease importation.

He assured the public that NCDC would provide timely updates while collaborating with international partners to monitor the evolving situation in the DRC and other affected African regions.

Source: NAN

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This marks a higher case fatality rate, CFR, of 18.7 per cent compared to 17.3 per cent within the same period in 2024.

According to the latest situation report released by the NCDC on Monday via its official website, 811 confirmed cases and over 6,520 suspected infections have been recorded so far.

The public health agency said that that spanned 21 states and 105 local government areas, with the highest burden concentrated in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states.

“We are witnessing a slight decline in the total number of confirmed cases compared to 2024, but the fatality rate has increased,” it said.

It also indicated possible late presentation, poor health-seeking behaviour and limited access to early treatment as contributing factors.

The agency said that in epidemiological week 28 alone, 11 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded, with reported infections from Ondo, Edo, and Benue states.

It said that no healthcare workers were affected during the week.

The NCDC said that individuals aged 21–30 years remained the most affected age group, with a nearly equal male-to-female distribution of cases.

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In response to the ongoing outbreak, the agency and its partners have intensified interventions in high-burden areas.

“Ten National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected states using a One Health approach.

“INTEGRATE Clinical Trials have commenced in Ondo state to support improved case management.

“Healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states have received targeted training to strengthen clinical response,” it said.

It said that environmental campaigns and community sensitisation activities were underway, in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch, WHO, Pro-Health International, IHVN and other key partners.

Meanwhile, the agency has launched its Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, e-learning platform, supported by the Global Fund.

It distributed IPC materials and medical countermeasures such as Ribavirin, PPEs, and disinfectants to states and treatment centres.

Despite intensified efforts, the NCDC said that several persistent challenges remained.

“These include the late presentation of cases, which contributes to the high fatality rate.

“Poor environmental sanitation in affected areas also hinders effective control of the disease.

“Additionally, low awareness levels in vulnerable communities and the high cost of treatment continue to discourage prompt health-seeking behaviour.”

The agency stressed the need for community engagement, early detection and prompt treatment to reduce fatalities as Nigeria battles to curb the spread of the disease.

It appealed to the public to avoid contact with rodents and to seek prompt medical care at designated treatment centres at the first sign of symptoms such as fever, headache or bleeding.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to continuously maintain hygiene, report symptoms early and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions.

“The public is also encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and utilise the toll-free line 6232 for inquiries,” it said.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects or infected medical equipment.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from the body openings.

Source: NAN

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, disclosed this in its latest report via its official website on Saturday in Abuja.

The NCDC said the week 25 figure marked an increase from 17.6 per cent reported for the same period in 2024.

The report, which covered the week of June 16–22, revealed that 781 confirmed cases were reported out of 5,943 suspected cases across 20 states and 101 Local Government Areas.

In the current reporting week, 10 new confirmed cases were reported in Ondo and Edo states with a slight increase from the eight cases recorded the previous week.

According to NCDC, 91 per cent of all confirmed cases in 2025 were reported from five states of Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), Edo (17%), Taraba (16%) and Ebonyi (3%).

It said that the disease continues to affect young adults predominantly, within the 21 to 30 age group most impacted.

Males were slightly more affected, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.

The Nigerian public health agency said that despite a decline in the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases compared to 2024, the rise in CFR is raising concerns among health experts.

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The agency highlighted late presentation of cases, high treatment costs, and poor health-seeking behaviour as contributing factors to the increased fatality.

It said that no new infections among health workers were recorded in the reporting week, though 23 healthcare workers have been affected cumulatively this year.

The NCDC said it was in collaboration with partners, such as the World Health Organisation, WHO; the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC); ALIMA, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, and others.

The collaborations, it stated further had intensified multi-sectoral response efforts to combat the spread of Lassa fever.

It said that, as part of the efforts, Integrate clinical trials were ongoing in Ondo State, with After Action Reviews, AARs, conducted in both Ondo and Ebonyi to evaluate the response to the outbreak.

The agency said that clinician sensitisation, community engagement activities and environmental response campaigns had been carried out in identified hotspot areas.

In addition, the NCDC said that it had deployed 10 national rapid response teams to various states, adopting a one health approach to disease control.

To further strengthen infection prevention and control, IPC, the agency launched an IPC e-learning platform and distributed updated Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, VHF, guidelines to health facilities across the country.

The agency said that other efforts also included active contact tracing, surveillance, media engagement and geospatial risk mapping, alongside regular webinars for clinicians and capacity-building sessions nationwide.

The NCDC identified key challenges including poor environmental sanitation and low community awareness, particularly in high-burden local government areas.

It also said that sustained efforts were needed to curb the fatality rate, ensure early detection, and improve public health outcomes.

The NCDC advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and seek medical help promptly when experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.

Lassa fever, which was first identified in 1969 in Lassa, Borno, is endemic in Nigeria, with outbreaks occurring annually.

Symptoms range from mild fever and joint pain to severe bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract.

The disease is fatal in about 20 per cent of cases, particularly when treatment is delayed.

Across West Africa, hundreds of thousands are infected annually, experiencing symptoms such as fever, vomiting and, in severe cases, bleeding.

One of the most troubling complications is hearing loss, which affects about 25 per cent of survivors.

The estimated fatality rate is one per cent, but during outbreaks, mortality can rise significantly, particularly among pregnant women and healthcare workers.

In spite of its significant health impact, Lassa fever remains one of the most neglected diseases, with limited resources allocated to its preventions and treatments.

Currently, no licensed vaccines exist, although around 20 candidates are in development, with the most advanced in Phase IIa clinical trials.

Source: NAN

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According to the latest situation report released on Friday by the NCDC for epidemiological week 24 (June 9–15), the country recorded 766 confirmed cases from 5,678 suspected infections.

The case fatality rate stood at 18.9 per cent, up from 17.6 per cent during the same period in 2024.

The agency said that the states most affected were Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, which accounted for 91 per cent of the confirmed cases.

It said that Ondo alone contributed 31 per cent making it the epicentre of the outbreak.

In spite a decline in new confirmed cases — down to eight from 11 the previous week — the Nigerian public health agency said that health authorities remained concerned about the high fatality rate.

The agency said that that was driven by late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and unsanitary living conditions in high-burden communities.

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According to it, efforts to contain the outbreak have included the deployment of Rapid Response Teams to 10 states, risk communication, environmental sanitation campaigns, and training of health workers in high-risk areas.

The NCDC also de-escalated its Incident Management System to alert mode while integrating Lassa fever messages into wider disease awareness campaigns.

The agency has appealed to the public to avoid contact with rodents and to seek prompt medical care at designated treatment centres at the first sign of symptoms such as fever, headache, or bleeding.

The agency continues to urge Nigerians to maintain hygiene, report symptoms early, and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions.

“The public is also encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and utilise the toll-free line 6232 for inquiries,” it said.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from the body openings.

Source: NAN

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The NCDC disclosed this in its latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 23, June 2–8, 2025, which was posted on its official website on Wednesday.

According to the agency, Nigeria has recorded 143 deaths from 758 confirmed Lassa fever cases so far this year.

This translates to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.9 per cent, higher than the 17.8 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.

The NCDC also revealed that 11 new confirmed cases were reported in the week under review, up from eight cases recorded the previous week.

The new cases were detected in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Taraba states.

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“In 2025, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever, spread across 96 Local Government Areas. However, 90 per cent of all confirmed cases were reported from just five states: Ondo 31 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, Edo 16 per cent, Taraba 15 per cent, and Ebonyi 3 per cent,” the report stated.

The agency noted that the age group most affected remained young adults aged 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30.

It also reported one new healthcare worker infection in the reporting week, bringing the total number of affected health workers in 2025 to 23.

The NCDC identified several challenges fuelling the outbreak, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and high cost of treatment, inadequate sanitation, and low awareness in affected communities.

To curb the spread and reduce deaths, the agency said it had activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System and deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams to states with the highest burden.

Additional response measures included the training of health workers on case management, the launch of Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, e-learning platform, community sensitisation campaigns, environmental response interventions, and media outreach in collaboration with stakeholders.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain high hygiene standards, seek medical attention early when symptomatic, and avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, known vectors of the disease.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

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The NCDC via its official website on Friday, highlighted the continued public health challenge posed by these diseases.

From January 1 to May 18, the centre confirmed 733 cases of Lassa fever from 5,118 suspected infections across 18 states and 95 local government areas.

Within the same period, it said it recorded 141 Lassa fever-related deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 19.2 per cent.

The NCDC said that in week 20 alone, new infections jumped from three to 13 cases in Edo, Ondo, and Benue.

“The case fatality rate stands at 19.2 per cent slightly higher than 18.3 per cent in 2024, indicating that one in five people infected is dying, in spite of  coordinated national efforts,” the NCDC warned.

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It said that the hotspot states for Lassa fever include Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%) and Edo (17%) which together account for 72 % of all confirmed cases.

The centre said that the disease was hitting young adults hardest, particularly those aged 21 to 30 years, with a nearly equal male-to-female ratio.

It noted that no new healthcare worker infections were reported in the past week, but highlighted a surge in cases and called for heightened vigilance.

The agency said that a multi-sectoral Incident Management System had been activated to coordinate response efforts nationwide.

On the meningitis front, the centre said the figures were even more alarming.

The NCDC said that from 2,911 suspected cases, 192 had been confirmed and 225 lives lost, translating to a case fatality rate of 7.7 per cent.

The agency said that children aged five to 14 were the most affected, with males accounting for 60 per cent of all reported infections.

It said that the outbreak had reached 24 states and 173 local government areas, with 10 northern states —including Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Jigawa—reporting 97 per cent of suspected cases.

In response, the NCDC has activated a national Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate interventions in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, and development partners.

It said that regular high-level meetings with affected states were ongoing to streamline containment strategies.

“We are providing continuous technical support to high-burden states and reinforcing outbreak preparedness across the country,” the NCDC said.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.

Source: NAN        

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