General News
NCDC Unveils Toolkit to Strengthen Disease Surveillance, Forecast Outbreaks

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has launched a pioneering toolkit designed to strengthen disease surveillance and forecast outbreaks, positioning the country for a more proactive public health response.

The launch also featured the unveiling of a Vulnerability Matrix and an Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, marking a major step in Nigeria’s effort to reinforce epidemic preparedness through data-driven, cross-sectoral collaboration.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Dr. Olajide Idris, the director-general of NCDC, described the new tools as a major milestone in Nigeria’s epidemic intelligence architecture.
Represented by Dr. John Oladejo, the director of special duties at the NCDC, he said the toolkit responds to the urgent need for timely and integrated disease intelligence across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
“This toolkit is our response to that challenge,” he said, noting that the development of the tools was catalysed by findings from the 2023 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), which highlighted significant gaps in the country’s existing surveillance systems. He added that the framework would serve as a foundation for a climate-smart early warning system, powered by data and cross-sector insights.
“We are moving towards a system that can predict outbreaks before they escalate – saving lives, protecting livelihoods and preserving economic stability,” Idris stated.
The toolkit was developed by the NCDC in collaboration with Data.FI, a U.S. government-supported project led by Palladium International, alongside strategic partners such as the Federal ministries of Health, Environment and Agriculture; the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet); the World Health Organisation (WHO); Resolve to Save Lives and academic institutions.
Otse Ogorry, country director of Data.FI Nigeria, explained that the project was born out of a desire to rapidly address the JEE’s finding that Nigeria lacked a functional multi-sectoral early warning system.
He said the framework allows stakeholders to forecast disease outbreaks based on environmental triggers like rainfall, flooding and heatwaves – events increasingly linked to disease patterns due to climate change.
“For example, spikes in rainfall can signal potential cholera outbreaks, while heatwaves may indicate heightened risk for cerebrospinal meningitis,” Ogorry said.
“The goal is to enable public health agencies to act before diseases take hold – shifting from reactive to preventive response models.”
Ogorry emphasised that the framework aligns with Nigeria’s One Health strategy, which integrates data from human, animal and environmental health sectors to manage shared health risks more effectively. He said initial implementation revealed challenges in harmonising data-sharing systems and aligning agency priorities, but these were overcome through sustained engagement and coordination under NCDC’s leadership.
“We had to bring together the ministries of Environment, Livestock Development and Health. Initially, collaboration was difficult due to differing mandates and data systems, but we eventually found common ground,” he said.
“This toolkit now belongs to the Nigerian government. It will be revised periodically to reflect emerging realities.”
According to Ogorry, the system has already been piloted nationally and tested in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with feedback from stakeholders used to fine-tune its features.
He also noted its interoperability with the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS), Nigeria’s digital disease surveillance platform, which will strengthen early detection and response.
Dr. Samuel Anzaku, director of veterinary public health and epidemiology at the Federal Ministry of Livestock and Development, commended the inclusivity of the development process.
He said the collaborative workshops, held in multiple locations including Lagos and Abuja, created a sense of ownership and ensured that the final product addressed both technical and field-level realities.
“This is not just another project – it’s a government-owned framework that can be adapted to meet sector-specific needs, especially for tackling zoonotic diseases and other emerging health threats,” he said.
“It may not solve every challenge in the system, but it certainly gives us a structured pathway to respond more effectively.”
Also speaking, Dr Fatima Saleh, director of surveillance and epidemiology at the NCDC, highlighted the critical role of interagency collaboration and community involvement.
She said Nigeria’s progress in surveillance and epidemic preparedness could not have been achieved without the joint effort of technical institutions, policy makers and grassroots actors.
“The work we do at the NCDC is not a one-man show. It’s a demonstration of integrated, multi-sectoral partnerships that have helped us strengthen our International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities,” she said.
“As we move forward, we must prioritise inclusivity in our interventions – because the more communities feel involved, the more sustainable our solutions become.”
Saleh said the new tools would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to prepare for pandemics and mitigate the impact of public health emergencies, particularly in vulnerable communities.
She urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the full implementation and adaptation of the framework across regions.
Public health experts at the event praised the initiative as a model for low- and middle-income countries aiming to enhance pandemic preparedness through climate-sensitive, data-driven and collaborative systems.
The launch concluded with a unified call for strong political will, strategic investment and continuous refinement of the toolkit to ensure it remains responsive to Nigeria’s evolving health landscape.
General News
NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.
According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.
The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.
Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.
He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.
Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.
In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.
General News
T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.
NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.
Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”
The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.
Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.
General News
Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Bank
Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.
He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.
According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.
“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.
“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”
Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”
He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.
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