Ebola: Shehu Sani Warns NCDC Against ₦100,000 Weekly Isolation Allowance

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has warned the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) that its planned ₦100,000 weekly allowance for people placed under Ebola monitoring could encourage false claims of exposure to the virus.

The warning followed an announcement by the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, on Sunday that 53 contacts linked to a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja would receive the financial support during the 21-day monitoring period.

According to the announcement, the allowance is intended to cover feeding, accommodation and family support for those affected by the monitoring measures.

Reacting in a post on his verified X handle on Monday, Sani expressed concern that some individuals might falsely claim to have been exposed to Ebola in an attempt to benefit from the payment.

“The NCDC reportedly said they will give 100k weekly to anyone they keep in isolation over the Ebola virus.

“They should be careful because some people can come forward and claim they have the virus because of the 100k,” he wrote.

The former lawmaker urged the agency to ensure that all beneficiaries are properly verified before payments are approved to prevent possible abuse of the support scheme.

The proposed allowance is intended to help people comply with public health monitoring requirements without facing additional financial hardship. However, Sani’s warning highlights the need for effective verification and accountability in the administration of emergency support.

The NCDC’s monitoring programme is part of efforts to track people who may have been exposed to the virus and reduce the risk of further transmission.