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COVID-19: Nigeria now has 11 testing labs, says Minister
Nigeria now has 11 molecular diagnostic laboratories for testing coronavirus (COVID-19), with the activation of two additional laboratories in Kano and Jos.
The federal government is also working on compensation packages to motivate healthcare workers who are in the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also to recognise their sacrifices to ensure that every Nigerian is safe.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who made this known on Monday in Abuja, at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, explained that with the increased capacity to test, the country is likely to record more positive cases of the virus.
According to him, “We now have 11 COVID-19 functional laboratories in Nigeria, following 2 activated in Kano and Jos. We have pre-positioned laboratory testing sample and collection kits nationwide.
“The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), through the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) continues to support response activities in States with new outbreaks, through timely deployment of Rapid Response teams.
“The Accreditation team has finalized protocols for use in accrediting isolation and treatment centres, to assure maintenance of standards. Four centers have been accredited in the Abuja metropolis, which I inspected over the weekend and certified as ready to use. The FMoH and FCT shall be meeting to harmonize their functions.
“The case management team has concluded training of healthcare workers in Abuja who will be attending to patients in these isolation and treatment centres”.
He further added: “I enjoin States to adhere to the standards advised by the accreditation team and also again advise my professional colleagues that it is very risky to be treating coronavirus patients in private homes or in their hospital establishments without IPC training and accreditation. The hazard is serious with regard to self-infection and cross infection, evidence of which has manifested in some States.
“The PTF is working on compensation packages to recognize the sacrifices and to further motivate the brave healthcare workers, who directly take on the coronavirus challenge. It goes beyond the well-known Group Life Insurance for public servants, the routine workmen’s compensation and health workers hazard allowance.
“Details of the new package will be made available later, but we must laud the offer of free Life insurance for 5,000 health workers, donated by a private Insurance Company”.
Concerning the low confirmed cases over the weekend, Ehanire said, “The way we are right now, the figures you see for new infections will fluctuate. It is not going to be constantly the same; you can see it rise sharply and come down by a bit.
“We are making the testing more efficient and increasing the volume of testing, so we expect to find more cases. We are doing more of smart testing – that is, testing that targets where you are most likely to find the cases.
“Finally, looking at the community transmission, if you’re in the neighborhood where there are large number of people who have tested positive, or if you have symptoms that are suggestive of the infection – dry cough, fever, even though you can’t explain where it came from; you have not been abroad, you have not been in touch with anyone who has been abroad, you can also be eligible for testing. What’s important is that if you test positive you need to go into isolation for the prescribed period.
“There are people who feel very well and have no symptoms, but are well able to transmit the infection. those are the ones we have troubles with.
“What is going to happen very soon is that the NCDC is preparing to have agreements with certain private sector collection points in various areas of the town, so that you can go to a sample collection site and have your sample taken.
“First, you will be interviewed if you are eligible, and if you are eligible, your sample will be taken and a vehicle will go round, collect all the samples and do a central testing. That will reduce the work for NCDC and bring in more efficiency and get more people to be tested”.
Before the activation of the labs in Kano and Jos, the country had nine (9) labs, namely: NCDC National Reference Laboratory and Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja; Laboratory in LUTH, Lagos State Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory, and Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos; and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo state.
Others are – University College Hospital, Ibadan; Virology Laboratory of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki; and African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in Osun State.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.
In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.
The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld
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