Securing Nigeria's Borders from COVID-19

What to know

The U.S. CDC partnered with Nigeria during the pandemic to screen travelers at ports, train officers in COVID-19 screening, and provide prevention information. Cargo ship crew also underwent regular screenings. Learn how this response work built preparedness for future health emergencies in the country.

CDC provided rapid diagnostic kits to enhance COVID-19 case finding at the border.

Photo essay

Port Health Services worker wearing mask looks upon travelers in airport.
In early 2020, Nigeria's first official case of COVID-19 was announced. Investigators determined the patient had travelled to Nigeria from Europe. Country leaders acted quickly to strengthen COVID-19 border health surveillance across international borders and within the country. Photo Credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Health worker dressed in full protective gear conducts a health check on a man wearing a mask.
As COVID-19 spread throughout Nigeria, the federal government ordered a four-week lockdown in Lagos and Ogun states and limited travel beginning March 30, 2022. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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People at Nigeria's port border
CDC collaborated with Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health office of Port Health Services to train officers at land, air, and seaports to test for and report COVID-19. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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A Nigerian Port Health officer conducts a temperature check for a passenger crossing a land border
A Nigerian Port Health officer conducts a temperature check for a passenger crossing a land border. This type of screening was the most common at points of entry or exit. People with high temperatures were tested using a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test. If positive, a confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was conducted. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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A health worker wearing protective gear gives man sitting in chair a diagnostic test for COVID-19. Three other health workers wearing masks are standing in the room.
CDC provided rapid diagnostic kits to enhance COVID-19 case finding at the border. People leaving Nigeria and arriving in the country received temperature screenings, rapid testing if they had a high temperature, and PCR testing to confirm positive rapid tests. Anyone who tested positive was quarantined. Port Health officers then used CDC-donated laptops and other information communication technology (ICT) to facilitate real-time reporting of cases. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Travelers waiting in line at airport
It was important to quickly share the results of the rapid COVID-19 tests from travelers who had a fever or showed other symptoms. Port Health workers sent test results to health departments using laptops and special surveillance software. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Port Health officers utilizing QR code scanner to review vaccination cards of travelers at airport desk
Port Health officers also tested passengers departing Nigeria and used a QR code scanner to review vaccination cards. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Image of cargo ship surrounding by trucks and Port worker monitoring
Nigeria’s waterways move high volumes of goods and items via ships and cargo vessels. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
Two Port Health officers. One is taking the temperature of a crew member docked at Nigerian Port.
CDC's implementing partners trained Port Health officers stationed at seaports to screen crew members and passengers aboard vessels docked at Nigerian ports such as Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Four people standing beside COVID-19 vaccination site
CDC supported community vaccination sites, such as the one at Tin Can Island Sea Port. Visitors, workers, and all eligible people were able to get free COVID-19 vaccines. Photo credit: Godwin Oisi/CDC
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Man and woman wearing masks standing in front of airport
Through strong collaboration among partners, CDC, and Nigeria's government secured points of entry during periods of rapid spread of COVID-19. Lessons learned in border health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic will be used during future disease outbreaks. Photo credit: Olaoluwa Akinloluwa/CDC
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Content Source:
Global Health Center