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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.
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CCT Chairmanship : Embattled Danladi Umar Withdraws Suit Challenges his Successor Mainasara Kogo’s Appointment by Tinubu

Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, the embattled Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has quietly withdrawn his lawsuit challenging the controversial appointment of Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo as his successor—an appointment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in alleged violation of constitutional procedures.
Newsthumb report that in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1796/2024, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Umar—alongside civil society groups—had sought to nullify the appointment of Dr. Kogo.
The respondents listed in the suit included President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), among others.
However, in a surprising development, a “Notice of Discontinuance” dated March 20, 2025, and signed by Umar’s legal representatives—M.M. Maidoki, A.G. Salisu, and Jibrin S. Jibrin—was filed in court, effectively ending the legal challenge.
Justice Umar decided to withdraw the suit following intense pressure from family members and respected elders from Toro, Bauchi State—his hometown—who urged him to prioritize family honor and avoid escalating political tensions.
A member of Umar’s legal team disclosed that, despite their firm belief that the President, National Assembly, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, had acted illegally against Umar, they advised him to withdraw the case for the sake of his safety and the integrity of his family.
The removal attempts against Justice Umar ignited serious legal and constitutional controversy involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the SGF. President
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Dr. Kogo was first announced in July 2024 by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale—despite the fact that Justice Umar’s tenure had not expired.
Compounding the controversy, the official appointment letter, signed by SGF George Akume, was dated January 20, 2025, but backdated to November 27, 2024—an action that raised further suspicion among legal scholars and political observers.
The National Assembly also contributed to the confusion by initially citing an incorrect constitutional provision and even misstating the name of the intended appointee—errors they later retracted—raising concerns that Umar’s removal was politically motivated rather than based on proven misconduct.
The move was widely condemned by legal experts, who described it as unconstitutional. Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) including Prof. Mamman Lawan Yusufari, Dr. Wahab Shittu, and Prof. Yemi Akinseye George pointed out that, under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, it is the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) that are empowered to nominate and recommend candidates for appointment to the CCT—not the President acting unilaterally.
There is no public evidence that the NJC, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, recommended any successor. Similarly, there is no proof that the National Assembly met the two-thirds majority threshold required to lawfully remove Justice Umar.
The National Assembly’s move to oust Umar was reportedly initiated at the behest of the Presidency, leading to the litigation that has now been withdrawn. Notably, President Tinubu, Attorney-General Fagbemi, and other officials had already filed their statements of defense prior to the discontinuance.
Justice Umar has previously presided over several politically sensitive cases, including the 2012 trial of then-Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu over alleged false asset declarations. Although he discharged Tinubu, he did not acquit him—an outcome some believe might have posed constitutional hurdles during Tinubu’s political ascendancy.
With the withdrawal of the case, it remains uncertain whether Justice Umar will formally vacate his position or seek other avenues to contest Dr. Kogo’s appointment.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is a specialized court tasked with upholding ethical standards among Nigerian public officers. It is empowered to try politicians, civil servants, judges, and others accused of breaching the Code of Conduct, including false asset declarations, foreign account ownership, conflicts of interest, and corruption-related misconduct.
Upon conviction, the Tribunal can impose penalties such as removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to ten years, and forfeiture of assets improperly acquired.
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Akpabio: The Misconcepted Man Of Purpose, Says Niyi Babade

“Just let him know that you are passionate like him and fellow human being’s happiness is paramount to you and that you hold the ideals of man in high esteem, let him know you can contribute positively to the reason why humanity must not suffer, let him know that you are full of ideas that can bring joy and happiness to humanity, let him know that the comfortabilities of the people, the equal rights of the people in a world where no man feels he/she is more superior to the other is your perogative, let him know you can offer positive solutions to difficult situations instantly,let him know that you are super ready to bring people out of the quagmire they might found themselves at any point in time, then he will bring you closer to himself so you will have unlimited access to him and become his friend. He will make sure you are encouraged and generously rewarded for your contribution.His love and concern for humanity is unprecedented no matter your gender or status in the society. This is why people often times take undue advantage of his large heartedness for granted especially the female folks”
This was how Gbenga a former staffer of the Directorate of the State Security Services described Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio the Senate President of Nigeria,when he worked with him as security personnel when he was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.while speaking with our reporter.
The senate president still remain steadfast and resolute to the course of humanity especially Nigerians wherever they are within the globe.
The ongoing encounter with Senator Natasha is one of the misconceptions that we speak about which has often times trailed the senate president’s path.Because of his love for people,humanitarian and philanthropy heart for every one
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JUST IN: Terrorism trial, Court admits video recording of Kanu’s interrogation, other items

A video recording of Nnamdi Kanu’s interrogation by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been played in court in his ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The statement Kanu made on October 15, 2015 has also been read.
In the video, he admitted establishment of Radio Biafra and registration in London.
Kanu also admitted not registering the radio station with NBC because there was no need for it.
In his statement, he admitted fighting for emancipation of the people of South East, South South and parts of Benue and Kogi.
He made it abundantly clear that freedom fighting is not a crime in any part of the world including Nigeria because it is a fundamental right.
Kanu claimed not to be involved in any violence because he has not been linked with any one.
Items in four suitcases recovered from him in his hotel room in 2015 were also brought to the court room full display.
Defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) did not object when prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) applied to tender all the items in evidence.
Justice James Omotosho has admitted the items in evidence.
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