Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a $45.8 million biosecurity and response system for five of Nigeria’s major international airports, aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to detect and respond to infectious disease threats.

The approval was announced by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, during a press briefing following the FEC meeting at the State House.

Project Structure and Partners

According to Pate, the project has been in preparation for two years and will be implemented through a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Bio Health Consortium and its partners.

The initiative will operate under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) framework. Under this arrangement, the private partner will be responsible for financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure throughout the 20-year concession period. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) will provide regulatory oversight, and ownership of the facilities will revert to the Federal Government at the end of the concession.

Airports Covered

The project will be deployed at the following five international airports:

• Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
• Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
• Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano
• Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu
• Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa

Rationale and Scope

Pate explained that the initiative is designed to address public health vulnerabilities at Nigeria’s borders, which handle more than 18 million international passengers annually.

“Since COVID, we have known that there are significant vulnerabilities in terms of public health threats crossing borders, and the need for coordinated, technology-driven systems for early warning, detection, and response to infectious disease threats,” the minister said.

The project will include smart point-of-entry infrastructure and portable laboratory facilities for rapid testing, as well as data-sharing systems linking key agencies. These include the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Ebola Response and Quarantine Welfare

Highlighting the importance of stronger border surveillance, Pate cited Nigeria’s response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He noted that Nigeria had maintained heightened surveillance at its points of entry before confirming a case on October 19. The patient has since recovered under the country’s healthcare system, while contact-tracing efforts remain ongoing.

The minister also explained the rationale behind the proposed ₦100,000 payment to individuals placed in quarantine, stating that it is intended to cater for their welfare during the quarantine period.