By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate has ordered an urgent investigation into a suspected resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria following the confirmation of a new case in Cross River State.
The directive was issued during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who mandated the Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Ipalibo Banigo, to ascertain the veracity of the report and submit its findings promptly.
The move came amid renewed concerns over the country’s preparedness to respond to potential outbreaks, more than five years after the initial COVID-19 crisis that disrupted public health systems and economic activities nationwide.
Akpabio emphasised the need for swift intervention to prevent the spread of the virus and reassure Nigerians, noting that the situation required vigilance and proactive measures.
The Senate’s action followed confirmation by the Cross River State Ministry of Health of a COVID-19 case involving a foreign national.
The patient, identified as a Chinese national, tested positive for the virus and was immediately isolated and placed under medical care.
Health authorities in the state have since activated contact tracing measures, identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the patient in a bid to contain any potential transmission.
Nigeria first recorded COVID-19 in February 2020 when an Italian national tested positive in Lagos, marking the index case that later snowballed into a nationwide public health emergency.
The crisis prompted lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the activation of emergency response mechanisms coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
At the peak of the pandemic, the country recorded thousands of infections, stretching the healthcare infrastructure and disrupting livelihoods.
However, sustained interventions, including vaccination campaigns and public health awareness, eventually brought the situation under control.
Despite the decline in cases in recent years, public health experts have consistently warned of the risk of a resurgence, especially with the emergence of new variants globally and reduced adherence to preventive measures.
The Senate committee’s findings are expected to guide further legislative and policy actions to strengthen Nigeria’s disease surveillance system and prevent another large-scale outbreak.
