Senate Moves to Amend Quarantine Act, Enforce Compulsory Screening at Entry Ports

The Nigerian Senate has moved to strengthen the country’s public health protection system by seeking an amendment to the Quarantine Act of 1926 and calling for compulsory health screening of all international passengers entering Nigeria through airports, seaports and designated land borders.

The move follows growing concerns over the threat of Ebola and other epidemic-prone diseases, with lawmakers emphasising the need for stronger disease surveillance, improved border health controls and adequate funding for emergency response measures. The Senate’s resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Francis Faduyile, who highlighted the risks of infectious diseases entering the country through inadequately monitored entry points.

Under the proposed measures, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and Port Health Services to ensure that health screening becomes compulsory for all arriving international passengers, regardless of their nationality or country of departure.

The recommended screening procedures include health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom assessments. Travellers who have visited or transited through areas affected by disease outbreaks within the preceding 21 days would undergo enhanced screening. The Senate also called for exit screening for departing passengers during declared public health emergencies.

These measures are intended to identify suspected infections early, strengthen disease surveillance and reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading within Nigeria.

The Senate also called for an urgent review and replacement of the Quarantine Act of 1926 with modern public health legislation that reflects current medical realities and aligns with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Lawmakers expressed concern that the existing legal framework is outdated and may not adequately address the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases, modern international travel and evolving public health emergencies.

A revised law could provide a stronger legal foundation for disease surveillance, quarantine procedures, emergency interventions and coordination among relevant government agencies

Beyond legislative reform, the Senate urged the Federal Government to ensure that international airports, seaports and designated land borders are adequately equipped with trained Port Health officers, thermal scanners, personal protective equipment and isolation rooms.

It also called for functional isolation and treatment centres across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to improve preparedness in the event of an outbreak.

The lawmakers further urged the Federal Government to release emergency funds from the Service-Wide Vote to support disease surveillance and strengthen the response of relevant health agencies. They also emphasised the need for adequate funding for the NCDC and Port Health Services in the 2027 budget.

The Senate’s intervention highlights the importance of prevention, early detection and effective coordination in protecting public health. Nigeria has previously faced outbreaks of infectious diseases, including Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera and diphtheria, underscoring the need for a healthcare system capable of responding rapidly to emerging threats.

The lawmakers also called for greater public awareness and preventive measures in public places, institutions and event centres.

If implemented effectively, the proposed measures could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to detect imported infections, improve emergency preparedness and reduce the risk of widespread transmission. However, their impact will depend on adequate funding, sufficient personnel, modern equipment and consistent enforcement at all designated entry points.

The Senate’s resolutions therefore place renewed emphasis on modernising Nigeria’s quarantine laws and strengthening its public health infrastructure to respond more effectively to current and future disease threats.