The National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the Federal Government to include representatives of students in the national Ebola Emergency Response Committee, saying their participation would strengthen awareness and sensitisation efforts across tertiary institutions nationwide.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, on behalf of the NANS leadership.
The student body commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing an Ebola Emergency Response Committee, describing the move as a proactive step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians.
NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde in the statement said the inclusion of student representatives in the committee would enhance the dissemination of health information and improve preparedness efforts within campuses and other educational environments.
According to the association, students account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s population and are among the groups that require targeted public health awareness due to the nature of campus life and daily interactions in hostels, lecture halls and other communal spaces.
The statement read in part, “Students constitute a significant percentage of Nigeria’s population, with millions residing and interacting daily within campuses, hostels and other educational environments that require targeted public health awareness and preventive measures.
“The inclusion of student representatives will provide a strategic platform for effective dissemination of information, grassroots mobilisation and health sensitisation campaigns across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions nationwide.”
NANS said it was prepared to collaborate with health authorities, educational institutions and other stakeholders to coordinate awareness campaigns aimed at educating students on preventive measures, early detection protocols and responsible health practices.
The association added that involving students in the emergency response framework would promote transparency, accountability and broader stakeholder participation while ensuring that accurate health information reaches campus communities across the country.
While reaffirming its support for government efforts to protect public health, NANS urged the Federal Government to consider its request in the interest of national health security and the well-being of Nigerians.
The call comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks through the establishment of an emergency response framework.
Nigeria was widely commended for successfully containing the Ebola outbreak that entered the country in 2014, following swift intervention by health authorities, extensive contact tracing and public sensitisation campaigns. Health experts have since emphasised the importance of community engagement and public awareness in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, particularly among large populations such as students living in densely populated campus environments.
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with four years of experience covering Nigeria’s vast education sector as well as related areas such as politics, health, security, and labour. She blends rigorous reporting with digital storytelling to bring clarity and insight to complex issues affecting learners, educators, and policymakers. Deborah was a nominee for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize in Journalism, recognising her impactful reporting and contributions to Nigerian media. Her work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism. In addition to her reporting, she is fluent in multiple languages and serves as a contributing member of The Punch editorial board.
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