● Warns FCT authorities against allowing schools to become centres of infection
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja, demanding an immediate joint emergency response by the Federal Capital Territory’s health and education departments to protect schoolchildren from a potentially deadly public health threat.
HURIWA warned that the safety of Nigerian children must not be left to chance, bureaucratic delays or a reactive government response after lives have been put at risk.
The association called on the FCT Administration to immediately activate a coordinated school health protection plan, insisting that every reasonable precaution must be taken to prevent the virus from entering classrooms and spreading through school communities.
With Ebola now reported in Abuja amid a wider regional outbreak, HURIWA said the authorities must move beyond routine assurances and demonstrate visible preparedness, effective surveillance and the capacity to respond swiftly to any suspected infection.
The association expressed concern that any failure to coordinate health surveillance with school administration could complicate efforts to identify possible exposure, communicate risks and prevent further transmission.
HURIWA insists that Nigerian schools must not become the next line of vulnerability in the Ebola emergency.
The association therefore demanded that the FCT health and education departments establish an emergency coordination mechanism involving school proprietors, head teachers, school health personnel, parents and relevant disease surveillance agencies.
It called for immediate risk assessments in schools, clear procedures for reporting suspected cases, rapid referral arrangements with designated health facilities and targeted public health education for teachers, pupils and parents.
HURIWA also urged authorities to ensure that schools have adequate handwashing facilities and follow appropriate infection prevention and control guidance issued by competent public health agencies.
The association stressed that school administrators must receive clear, authoritative instructions on how to respond to suspected cases without exposing other pupils and staff to unnecessary risks.
It further demanded intensified public awareness campaigns to ensure that parents and schoolchildren understand the importance of early reporting, medical assessment and compliance with official health advice.
“This is not a moment for government complacency. The protection of schoolchildren must be treated as an emergency priority, not an administrative afterthought,” HURIWA said.
The association called on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the FCT health authorities to provide timely, transparent updates on the response, including relevant information on surveillance, contact tracing and preventive measures.
HURIWA cautioned against concealing critical public health information, noting that timely communication is essential to maintaining public trust and securing community cooperation. It equally warned against spreading unverified claims capable of triggering panic or stigmatising people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The association reminded the authorities that Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak demonstrated the importance of early detection, coordinated action and strict infection prevention measures.
It maintained that the country must not wait for infections to multiply before strengthening its defences.
HURIWA also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, follow verified health advisories and seek prompt professional medical attention if they suspect exposure, while avoiding self-diagnosis and misinformation.
The association emphasised that protecting children is a fundamental public responsibility and that the FCT Administration must demonstrate leadership through urgent, measurable and coordinated action.
HURIWA demands that the authorities act now, before a preventable public health threat becomes a wider school safety crisis.
The association said every reasonable step must be taken to contain the outbreak, protect vulnerable communities and prevent avoidable loss of lives.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
21st October, 2026
