The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, October 20, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
The patient, a woman who recently travelled to Uganda, reportedly returned to Nigeria with symptoms on September 7. Her condition worsened four days later, prompting further medical attention and testing.
She was admitted to a private hospital before the diagnosis was established.
“She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care,” the government statement said.
Pate said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 people identified for follow-up, while surveillance was being strengthened at Nigeria’s entry points to detect potential spread.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT Health Secretariat, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners are coordinating the response.
The minister urged healthcare facilities to remain vigilant, particularly when treating patients with possible Ebola symptoms and relevant travel histories.
He also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, practise good hygiene and cooperate with public health officials.
Symptoms requiring attention include fever, weakness, headache and diarrhoea, although these may also occur in other illnesses.
According to Channels Television, Pate assured Nigerians that the situation was being managed and promised timely, transparent updates.
He said Nigeria was drawing on its experience in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and its public health systems to strengthen preparedness and response.
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