The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for increased public awareness and strict compliance with official Ebola prevention measures, warning that disease outbreaks could threaten lives, disrupt business operations and undermine economic stability.
The Chamber urged businesses, workers, residents and community leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prioritise public health by observing recommended hygiene practices, remaining vigilant and relying on credible information from relevant health authorities.
The Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, made the call in a public advisory on Ebola prevention issued on October 22, 2026, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in protecting lives and livelihoods.
Jideani urged members of the public to promptly report suspected Ebola cases through appropriate public health channels, noting that early communication with relevant authorities was essential to ensuring that suspected infections were handled appropriately.
He emphasised that the consequences of disease outbreaks could extend beyond the health sector, affecting commercial activities, trade, workforce productivity, supply chains and the livelihoods of individuals and businesses.
According to him, any development capable of disrupting business activities could have adverse consequences for the wider economy, making preventive action, public awareness and cooperation with health authorities imperative.
The ACCI director-general therefore called on individuals and organisations to take Ebola prevention seriously and comply with relevant public health guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission.
As part of the recommended precautions, Jideani advised the public to avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
He also urged residents to maintain regular handwashing with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers as part of efforts to promote good hygiene and reduce the risk of infection.
The advisory further cautioned members of the public against handling bats, monkeys and other potentially infected wild animals, highlighting the need for caution when dealing with animals that could pose a risk of infection.
Jideani also advised anyone who suspects an Ebola infection to seek guidance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) through its official communication channels before visiting a health facility.
He said following the appropriate public health guidance would help ensure that suspected cases were managed properly while reducing the risk of further transmission.
The director-general extended the call for vigilance to ACCI staff, urging them to observe appropriate hygiene practices and comply strictly with public health guidelines and directives issued by competent authorities.
He stressed that responsible conduct in the workplace was necessary to protect employees, business visitors and the wider Chamber community.
The Chamber also encouraged businesses operating in the FCT to strengthen awareness among their employees and reinforce appropriate hygiene practices within their workplaces.
According to ACCI, employers and business operators have an important role to play in ensuring that workers receive accurate information about Ebola prevention and understand the importance of following official public health guidance.
The organisation further emphasised the need for responsible communication, urging individuals and businesses to rely on credible official sources and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause confusion or undermine public health efforts.
It noted that effective disease prevention required accurate information, public cooperation and coordinated action among individuals, businesses, communities and relevant authorities.
The Chamber reiterated that public health protection was a shared responsibility, adding that preventive measures were important not only for safeguarding lives but also for maintaining a stable environment for economic activities.
ACCI said protecting the health of workers and members of the public was essential to sustaining business operations and preventing avoidable disruptions that could affect enterprises and livelihoods.
As the voice of the organised private sector and business community in the FCT, the Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a safe and resilient business environment where enterprises could operate without avoidable disruptions.
It called on residents, employers, workers and community leaders to take the recommended preventive measures seriously and support public health initiatives aimed at protecting lives and livelihoods.
The advisory concluded with a renewed appeal for vigilance, good hygiene, responsible information sharing and strict adherence to official preventive guidance as essential components of collective efforts to safeguard public health and economic stability.
