The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stepped up surveillance and emergency response following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a confirmed imported case in Uganda.

Although Nigeria has recorded no confirmed case of Ebola, NCDC emphasised that they were maintaining heightened vigilance due to increasing regional mobility and the risk of cross-border transmission.

In a public health advisory signed by NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency said it was closely monitoring developments in affected countries and coordinating preparedness efforts with the Port Health Services and other stakeholders.

“Response activities are ongoing in affected areas, and we are ensuring continued vigilance within Nigeria’s public health system,” Idris said.

Highlighting preparedness measures activated, Idris said NCDC had strengthened nationwide surveillance systems for Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases, while intensifying event-based monitoring and coordination with state health authorities.

Other measures include enhancing laboratory and diagnostic readiness, strengthening infection prevention and control awareness in healthcare settings, and expanding community engagement and public risk communication.

He further said the agency was closely tracking global and regional developments to ensure a rapid response if the situation changed.

Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal viral infection transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of infected persons or animals.

According to the NCDC, the disease has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days.

It typically begins with symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain and sore throat before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.

The director-general warned that early detection and isolation are critical in preventing outbreaks from escalating.

Idris advised healthcare workers across the country to maintain a high index of suspicion for Ebola in patients presenting symptoms consistent with the disease, particularly those with recent travel or exposure history linked to affected areas.

He urged medical personnel to strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, early isolation of suspected cases and prompt reporting through established surveillance channels.

Idris appealed to Nigerians against panicking or spreading misinformation, stressing that there was currently no confirmed Ebola case in the country.

“Residents are advised to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with bodily fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling dead animals or bushmeat from unknown sources.”

He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report unusual illnesses to health facilities and rely only on verified information from official public health authorities.

The latest alert has renewed concerns about the possibility of regional spread, particularly in countries with high levels of movement and trade across borders.

Nigeria’s extensive travel connections and large population make preparedness essential, especially given the country’s previous experience managing Ebola outbreaks.

Nigeria was internationally praised for containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak after swift tracing and isolation measures prevented widespread transmission following the arrival of an infected traveller from Liberia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning of significant regional and global risks.

The decision, announced on May 16 by the WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus under the International Health Regulations (2005), follows rising infections and deaths, alongside evidence of cross-border transmission.

However, the organisation clarified that the situation did not yet meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency.

Data from WHO showed that as of May 16, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected infections, and 80 suspected deaths have been recorded in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo.

The affected areas include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, where clusters of unexplained community deaths have raised alarm.

In Uganda, two confirmed cases including one fatality were reported in the capital, Kampala, within 24 hours of each other.

Both individuals had recently travelled from DR Congo, marking confirmed international spread of the virus.

Unlike other strains of Ebola, there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for the Bundibugyo variant, raising concerns among global health authorities.

A Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Obindo has decried the cost of care and drugs for individuals undergoing treatment for various mental health conditions, calling for interventions to reverse the trend.

Obindo, also the immediate past President, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), made the call in an interview at the weekend in Lagos.

He said that those accessing care, especially mental healthcare services, were finding it difficult to keep up with the cost of treatment.

The psychiatrist frowned that the cost of healthcare in Nigeria generally had gone up, attributing the development to inflation, economic downturn and closure of some pharmaceutical companies.

He lamented that most of the pharmaceutical companies that produced some of the drugs had either downsized or relocated to other countries, leading to high cost of drugs/medications.

“The cost of healthcare in Nigeria generally has become so high, making it difficult for an average person to access the needed care.

“Most of the company’s manufacturing the drugs are not in the country and some of those here have either downsized or relocated to other countries – this has resulted in a quadruple of the price of drugs compared to the price before.

“Similarly, the rise in the prices of goods and services caused by the fuel subsidy removal and economic downturn in the country has continually resulted in an astronomical rise in the prices of drugs and hospital care.

“Individuals undergoing treatment for various mental health conditions, particularly those with substance use disorder are finding it difficult to keep up with the cost of treatment.

“This to a great extent affects the treatment outcomes, because many of the patients hardly adhere to medication and prescriptions due to financial incapability,” he said.

Speaking on the implications of the high cost of medication, particularly for mental health conditions, Obindo decried that the situation was taking a toll on the average patient.

He said that most of the patients, after seeing a doctor, end up not buying the prescribed drugs or buy what they could afford, leading to under-dose of the medication.

He explained that the situation could not only lead to relapse, but could make the patient come down with more complicated symptoms.

“Failure to adhere to prescriptions or under-dosing medication can have a lot of implications on the patient, his family and the economy at large.

“Apart from resulting in relapse, it can make the patient perpetually ill or even come down with more severe symptoms.

“Family relationships may be affected and productivity of the individuals may drop, affecting economic growth and development,” he said.

On measures to salvage the situation and ensure citizens had easy access to the needed healthcare, Obindo called for restructuring and expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to at least cover 80 per cent of the population.

He added that the scheme’s formularies should be reviewed and expanded to accommodate most mental healthcare medications, so that patients could access drugs when prescribed.

The psychiatrist also underscored the need for the government to not only subsidise importation of the drugs, but also support the pharmaceutical companies with incentives to aid their operations.

“It is the sole responsibility of the government to ensure that the citizens are in good health.

“Considering the cost of transportation, the fact that people in the rural areas will have to travel to urban cities to access mental healthcare adds to their cost of treatment. Some may resort to alternative medicine.

“This is where integrating mental healthcare fully into Primary Health Care becomes necessary, so that people can have access to care anywhere they are,” Obindo said.

By Folasade Akpan

In December 2025, the reported death of Nigerian Law School student Ayomiposi Ojajuni reignited concerns about the fragile state of students’ mental health in Nigeria.

He was allegedly barred from writing the Bar Final examinations at the Yola campus in Adamawa.

The incident, though still under investigation, has once again brought to the fore the intense academic pressure, emotional strain and limited psychological support systems confronting many young people in tertiary institutions.

Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, was said to have received a series of queries from the school authorities and later discovered he would not be allowed to sit for the professional examinations scheduled for the same day.

Indeed, available data underscores the urgency of the issue.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every eight people globally lives with a mental health condition, with depression and anxiety among the leading causes of illness among adolescents and young adults.

In Nigeria, experts estimate that one in four young people may be experiencing some form of mental health challenge, yet access to care remains limited due to stigma, cost and shortage of professionals.

Against this backdrop, students across universities and professional schools face mounting pressures, including heavy academic workloads, financial constraints, family expectations, and social comparisons.

Experts say these factors can greatly affect mental wellbeing if not properly managed.

Sharing his experience, Mr Funbi Phillip, a law graduate of Lead City University, Ibadan, described the mental strain associated with studying law as one of the most demanding aspects of his academic journey.

According to him, the constant pressure to keep up with coursework, assignments, legal drafting and memorisation of numerous cases often felt overwhelming.

“The most challenging part for me was the mental pressure of having to keep up with heavy coursework, assignments, drafting briefs and memorising cases.

“It is a lot, but with consistency, it becomes manageable,” he said.

Phillip emphasised that effective time management was critical to navigating the demands of law school.

“I prioritise my time based on urgency. I make sure I handle continuous assessments before focusing on exams. Everything is about planning”.

He added that a turning point in his academic journey came when he shifted from rote memorisation to a deeper understanding of legal principles, noting that success in law school requires critical thinking, strong writing skills, time management and emotional resilience.

Similarly, students in other demanding disciplines report comparable experiences.

A pharmacy undergraduate, Ms Tiamiyu Omotayo of the same institution, said balancing academic expectations with personal wellbeing and career aspirations could be challenging.

According to her, practical exposure through internships helped her cope with the rigours of pharmacy education.

“The transition from theory to clinical practice is very important. It helps you appreciate what you have learned in class,” she said.

However, she noted that one of her biggest struggles was coping with unmet personal expectations regarding academic performance.

Omotayo said that although her results were good, they did not always align with the high standards she set for herself.

To manage stress, she said she deliberately took breaks and remained focused on her long-term goals, advising prospective students to pursue the profession out of passion rather than financial expectations.

Experts say such experiences are far from isolated.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Azuwike, Head of the Department of Private and Property Law at Veritas University, Abuja, said emotional distress among young people was becoming an increasing concern.

According to him, students are particularly vulnerable because they face academic demands alongside broader socio-economic challenges.

He identified parental expectations as a major source of stress, noting that the inability to meet such expectations often leaves young people feeling overwhelmed.

Azuwike also cited financial hardship, relationship challenges and health conditions as contributing factors.

He further pointed to policy gaps in Nigeria’s mental health framework.

While acknowledging the Mental Health Act signed in 2023 as a step forward, he noted that it does not fully decriminalise attempted suicide nationwide.

“The law recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency, which is progress.

“However, it does not explicitly decriminalise it, despite growing understanding that such cases require care rather than punishment,” he said.

He stressed that institutions have a duty to protect students’ wellbeing through accessible counselling services, confidentiality and supportive environments that discourage stigma.

Corroborating this view, mental health professionals highlight systemic challenges.

Mrs Rosemary Uwaleme, a mental health counsellor at Inspire Minds Services, said emotional distress among Nigerian undergraduates was widespread.

She attributed this to financial difficulties, unstable family backgrounds and limited access to support systems.

“Many students do not seek help because of stigma. There is also the issue of cost and the limited availability of services on campuses,” she said.

Uwaleme called for stronger counselling systems, increased awareness and regular training for mental health professionals within educational institutions.

In the same vein, psychologists emphasise preventive approaches.

Prof. Remi Alarape of the University of Ibadan urged tertiary institutions to establish robust mental health support systems to prevent students in distress from reaching breaking points.

“Without effective coping strategies, students may equate failure in examinations with failure in life. This can lead to deep emotional distress,” he said.

He advocated a culture that prioritises wellbeing alongside academic achievement and encourages open conversations about mental health.

Beyond institutions, civil society organisations are also stepping in.

The Dora-Care Behavioral Foundation recently organised a Mental Health First Aid outreach for students in Lagos, aimed at equipping young people with knowledge and basic support skills.

Its founder, Ms Akinyelure Feyikemi, said early awareness was key to building resilience among students.

“Equipping students with the tools to understand and support their mental health is crucial for raising a generation that is both academically capable and emotionally resilient,” she said.

Medical experts also underscore the link between mental and physical health.

Dr Joseph Ogba of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, described mental health as fundamental to overall wellbeing.

“There is no physical health without mental health,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Lucky Jet, Head of the Child and Adolescent Occupational Therapy Unit at the hospital, encouraged peer support among students.

“If you notice changes in a friend, reach out. Support can make a significant difference,” he said.

As conversations around mental health continue to gain traction in Nigeria, stakeholders say more coordinated action is needed.

They stress that the incident involving Ojajuni should serve as a wake-up call for institutions, families and policymakers.

Ultimately, experts agree that academic excellence must not come at the expense of psychological wellbeing.

For many, the way forward lies in strengthening campus counselling systems, reducing stigma, expanding access to care and fostering a culture where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

Only then can Nigeria’s education system produce not just academically successful graduates, but emotionally resilient individuals equipped to navigate life beyond the classroom. (NAN)