According to the NCDC’s Lassa fever situation report released on Monday, the latest update covers epidemiological weeks 29 and 30, spanning July 13 to July 26, 2026, with cases recorded across several states.

The agency said the figures represented a case fatality rate (CFR) of 23.7 per cent, higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

In week 30, new confirmed cases declined to 17 from the 20 cases recorded in week 29, indicating a slight reduction in transmission during the reporting period.

The 17 cases reported in week 30 were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the NCDC.

By epidemiological week 30, a total of 23 states had recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 116 Local Government Areas.

Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases reported during the period under review.

The NCDC said people aged 21 to 30 years remained the most affected age group during the reporting period.

The report also showed that one healthcare worker was infected with Lassa fever in week 30, compared with no infections among health workers in week 29.

In week 29, confirmed cases declined from 25 recorded in week 28 to 20, with cases reported in Ondo, Bauchi and Edo states.

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The Council said it sealed 505 pharmaceutical premises for regulatory violations, describing the findings as a major threat to public health and the integrity of the medicine supply chain.

Disclosing this at a news conference on Friday in Calabar, PCN’s Director of Enforcement, Dr Suleiman Chiroma, said the findings were the outcome of a four-day enforcement exercise in Cross River.

Chiroma said the operation, conducted under the directive of the Registrar of PCN, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, covered Bekwara, Yakurr, Obubra, Ikom, Yala, Ogoja, Akamkpa, Odukpani, Calabar Municipal and Calabar South Local Government Areas (LGAs).He said inspectors visited 602 premises, comprising 94 pharmacies, 217 Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor (PPMV) stores and 291 illegal medicine outlets.
“505 premises were sealed, including 54 pharmacies, 160 PPMV stores and all 291 illegal outlets, while 13 compliance directives were issued.

“Illegal premises constituted 48.3 per cent of facilities inspected and accounted for 57.8 per cent of all premises sealed during the exercise.

“Only 42.5 per cent of pharmacies inspected complied fully with regulatory standards, while compliance among PPMV stores stood at 26.8 per cent,” Chiroma said.

He noted that every illegal outlet identified during the exercise was sealed in line with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

Speaking further, Chiroma said major violations included operating without valid PCN licences, poor medicine storage, unauthorised access to controlled medicines and illegal apprenticeship training.

He warned that the practises encourage circulation of substandard, falsified and diverted medicines, resulting in treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, avoidable deaths and increased healthcare costs.

“Uncontrolled access to regulated medicines could fuel criminal activities through diversion into illegal channels, posing risks to national security,” he said.

He recalled that a woman linked to two pharmaceutical shops in Calabar was recently sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for similar regulatory offences.

The enforcement director urged residents to obtain medicines only from PCN-licensed premises and verify valid licences displayed before purchasing pharmaceutical products.

He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to sustained enforcement, to protect the pharmaceutical supply chain and support Universal Health Coverage through access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines.

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In neighbouring Uganda, health authorities have reported seven confirmed cases linked to the outbreak, including two healthcare workers and one confirmed death.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province was spreading in an environment where insecurity, attacks on health facilities and population movements were making it “nearly impossible” to trace contacts and isolate cases.

“We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” he said.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first identified in Uganda in 2007, has no approved vaccine or treatment.

WHO, however, warned that the outbreak was continuing to spread geographically, with evidence of ongoing cross-border transmission.

The outbreak is centred in Ituri province but has now spread across 11 health zones, with cases also reported in North Kivu – including in Butembo and Goma – and in South Kivu, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Health officials say the virus is spreading through family clusters and health facilities, with infections linked to caregiving, family gatherings and unsafe funeral practices.

Efforts to contain the outbreak are unfolding in one of the most volatile regions of eastern DRC, where humanitarian access has long been constrained by conflict involving multiple armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), CODECO militias and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group.

A December 2025 report by the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO documented persistent violence across Ituri and North Kivu, including attacks on villages, health facilities and displaced communities that killed hundreds of civilians and forced widespread displacement.

Active fighting and restrictions imposed by armed groups also hampered humanitarian operations, limited civilian movement and disrupted access to essential services.

The violence has compounded an already severe humanitarian crisis.

According to the latest analysis by IPC – the UN-backed global food security monitor – nearly 10 million people across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika are facing acute hunger between January and June 2026.

At the national level, an estimated 26.5 million people in DRC are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

“Hunger and disease are old companions,” Ghebreyesus said. “People weakened by hunger are far more vulnerable to infections.”

WHO said conflict, poor infrastructure and insecurity were limiting the movement of aid and access to health services.

“In many affected areas, health facilities are either non-functional or operating under severe constraints due to insecurity,” Ghebreyesus said.

“Poor road conditions further restrict the movement of goods and humanitarian assistance.”

WHO is at the centre of a UN systemwide response, deploying emergency personnel, medical supplies and funding to help contain the outbreak.

The agency is also working with community leaders in Bunia to build trust and counter misinformation.

It has developed public information messages and awareness materials adapted to local contexts and translated into local languages for wider reach.

“Community trust is the foundation of effective public health response,” Julienne Ngoundoung Anoko, a WHO Community Engagement Officer deployed in Bunia, said.

“Without community support, outbreak control measures cannot succeed.”

Ghebreyesus appealed for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian and medical teams safe access to affected communities.

“Stopping this Ebola transmission depends entirely on humanitarian access,” he said.

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Baba said during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin on Sunday that the policy would significantly reduce medicine costs nationwide and ease pressure on consumers.

He noted that the two-year tax relief for pharmaceutical firms would lower production and importation costs amid high foreign exchange rates.

“Importation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients is very expensive, and exchange rates have driven up drug costs. With this waiver, we expect a drastic price reduction,” he said.

He described the policy as timely, saying it would improve access to essential medicines for Nigerians across the country.

Baba also commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for health sector reforms, particularly improved welfare for healthcare workers in the state.

“The governor ensured pharmacists in the civil service are paid in line with federal counterparts through the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.

“This move has boosted morale and helped retain skilled professionals despite rising emigration,” he said.

He added that better remuneration had reduced the impact of the ‘Japa’ trend within the sector.

On inter-professional relations, Baba said pharmacists in Kwara enjoyed cordial relationships with doctors, unlike tensions reported elsewhere.

“Our relationship with doctors in Kwara is smooth. We collaborate on programmes and support one another professionally,” he said.

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Dr Suleiman Chiroma, the PCN National Head of Enforcement, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Kaduna.

Chiroma said the operation which began on Monday, covered Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Zaria, Makarfi, Kudan, Igabi, Chikun, Sabon Gari, Giwa, and Ikara local government areas.

He said 828 premises were visited during the four-day exercise, including pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and unlicensed outlets.

Chiroma explained that the 598 premises which were sealed, comprised pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and all unlicensed premises identified.

He equally said that two vendors were arrested for gross violations of the PCN Act.

He, however, said that only nine per cent of inspected premises were operating unlawfully, indicating improved regulatory compliance.

He added that 28 per cent of the premises were fully compliant, while 45 per cent of pharmacies and 28 per cent of patent medicine shops meet required standards.

“The premises sealed were for offences including lack of valid licences, unauthorised clinical practices, improper stocking of medicines, illegal operations, restricted drug access breaches, and obstruction of inspectors,” Chiroma said.

Speaking further, he explained that the operation targeted unsafe medicine handling and illegal practices threatening drug quality, potency, and therapeutic effectiveness across the supply chain.

He added that the exercise forms part of efforts to eliminate substandard and falsified medicines while safeguarding public health and safety.

He explained that the council, established by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act No. 31 of 2022, regulates pharmacy education, training, and practice, including technicians and patent medicine vendors.

Ciroma said the council is mandated to enforce the National Drug Distribution Guidelines to ensure medicines move only through approved channels from production or importation to end users.

He added that the framework guarantees proper storage and handling, safeguarding the quality, potency, and therapeutic efficacy of medicines throughout the supply chain.

He noted that enforcement efforts are reducing unqualified handlers and poor storage conditions, strengthening the fight against fake and substandard medicines.

According to him, the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s universal health coverage agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He equally said that the reforms were driven by Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, with support from PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed.

Chiroma said access to safe and quality medicines remains central to healthcare delivery.

He, however, lamented that inspectors uncovered substantial non-compliance, including vendors dispensing prescription-only and controlled medicines beyond their authorised scope.

He warned that such practices pose serious risks to public health and safety if not addressed.

He assured that the council will sustain strict oversight to ensure only qualified personnel handle medicines and that safe, effective drugs reach the public.

He called on residents to patronise only licensed premises displaying valid approvals, and appreciated Kaduna residents for their cooperation during the exercise.

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WHO, in a statement on Wednesday lauded Nigeria for approving its first national policy on cosmetics safety and health after nearly two decades of stalled attempts.

“The new policy introduces three main areas of action: regulatory oversight and governance – A unified national system will ensure all cosmetic products meet safety and quality standards and improve coordination across agencies.

“ Cosmetics vigilance and health intelligence – A national early warning system will help detect harmful products faster and support quicker public health responses.

“Strengthening the cosmetics value chain – The policy supports safer manufacturing and responsible trade. It also aligns with African Continental Free Trade Area opportunities, helping local industries grow while protecting workers and consumers.

“These changes are expected to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, lower the number of cosmetic related health complications and improve consumer confidence.”

According to the statement, the policy was launched at the Sixty sixth National Council on Health in Calabar and it establishes a clear system to regulate how cosmetic products are manufactured, imported, sold, used and disposed of.

The new policy supports major government priorities. It aligns with the National Strategic Health Development Plan II, the National Chemical Safety Policy and the National Environmental Health Action Plan.

It also advances the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and strengthens the country’s commitments under the International Health Regulations and the Minamata.

By improving regulation and surveillance, the UN health agency stated that the policy strengthens health security, protects consumers and supports economic diversification.

It also responds to state level priorities, since implementation will take place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Cosmetics are part of daily life for millions of Nigerians, but many people do not know what is inside the products they use, the statement quoted Amina Yusuf, a shop attendant in Tarauni local government area, Kano State as saying, adding that she developed skin irritation after using a product sold as a “natural toning oil”.

“I thought it was safe because it was called organic,” Yusuf said. “But my skin became sensitive, and small cuts took longer to heal.”

A health worker later explained that the product could have contained harmful chemicals.

In Kura local government area, community members described how some traders repackage creams without labels.

One resident said a neighbour developed rashes after using a mixture bought at a weekly market. “People buy what they can afford,” she said.

“Most of us do not have access to formally regulated shops.”

In Sabon Gari market, Kano State, an expectant mother, Gloria Okafor, learned during an antenatal visit that a cream she used to remove stretch marks might have contained heavy metals.

“I was careful with food and medicine during pregnancy,” Okafor said. “I never imagined body cream could be a risk.”

It stated that these experiences reflected wider challenges: limited consumer awareness, informal distribution systems and economic pressures that make unregulated products common.

Recent national and global assessments highlight both the scale and the safety concerns within Nigeria’s cosmetics sector.

Nigeria’s cosmetics industry has grown into a dynamic and increasingly sophisticated sector, with a market valuation exceeding 7.8 billion dollars.

Globally, the cosmetics market is valued at over 429.2 billion dollars, presenting both economic opportunity and regulatory challenges, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria.

Since 2022, Nigeria has registered close to 9, 000 cosmetic products that meet national regulatory requirements under the oversight of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, reflecting strengthened compliance efforts.

However, toxicological evidence remains concerning. Globally, over 100 known carcinogens and at least 15 endocrine disrupting chemicals have been identified in cosmetic formulations².

In Nigeria, a study conducted in Anambra State found lead contamination in 62 per cent of tested cosmetic products, with concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 42.12 mg/kg⁴ (exceeding the World Health Organisation permissible limit of 10 mg/kg).

Additional investigations in Ibadan and Lagos confirmed cadmium, lead and nickel levels above international safety limits in personal care products.

These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, consumer awareness and enforcement to protect public health.

WHO further stated that studies in Nigeria had found high levels of lead, cadmium and other harmful substances in some cosmetic products.

These chemicals can cause kidney problems, skin damage and complications during pregnancy.

Market surveillance efforts in Kurmi market, Kano Municipal local government area, reveal widespread mislabelling and repackaging practices.

According to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control officer Audu Tanimu, “Some products are intentionally labelled to avoid suspicion, but laboratory testing shows restricted substances. Enforcement efforts are ongoing, yet informal supply chains continue to complicate traceability.”

After years of Nigeria’s vision to develop a cosmetic policy, WHO worked with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, state governments, Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), civil society and industry groups in 2025 to turn this into reality.

It provided technical guidance, reviewed evidence, supported meetings with partners and helped strengthen surveillance and reporting systems.

This support built on years of collaboration to improve chemical safety and International Health Regulations core capacities.

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Speaking during the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the policy would regulate production, sales of pharmaceuticals, and allow Nigerians access to quality-assured medicines.

Represented by Olubumi Aribeana, the Director, Food and Drug Services, at the ministry, Pate said it was geared towards modernising the healthcare delivery, and allow Nigerians access to affordable medicine, no matter where they live.

According to the minister, though the rise of digital platforms has transformed nearly every sector of the nation’s economy, the pharmaceutical space has remained largely fragmented with limited oversight of online medicine sales.

He said that the free hand access in the pharmaceutical sector had created dangerous gaps, where substandard and falsified medicines, unlicensed vendors, and misinformation thrived.

“Today marks a bold step forward in our collective mission to modernise healthcare delivery and ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable, and quality-assured medicines—no matter where they live.

“The NEPP is our strategic response. It provides a clear, enforceable framework for the regulation of electronic pharmacy services in Nigeria. It ensures that innovation does not come at the expense of safety.

“With this policy, we are setting the foundation for a nationally coordinated e-pharmacy ecosystem that is transparent, secure, and patient-centred.

“It establishes licensing and accreditation standards for digital pharmacy platforms, enables real-time monitoring and traceability of pharmaceutical products, improves access to essential medicines—especially in underserved and remote communities,” he said.

Pate said that the platform would promote greater accountability for all actors in the pharmaceutical value chain, adding that the policy is a product of extensive collaboration.

“I want to thank the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), NAFDAC, digital enablers—the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

“I also want to thank the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for their critical role in shaping the digital governance, data protection, and infrastructure frameworks that underpin this policy,” he said

The Registrar/CEO, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed said the policy would provide strategic direction for regulation especially for PCN being the implementing agency.

“We have developed the regulation to guide this particular endeavor. The regulation was approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and endorsed by Minister of Justice,” he said.

According to him, PCN is confidence that there will not be any challenge in the implementation of the policy.

Munir Elelu, the Director and team lead for the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation, lauded the project, describing it as good innovation for Nigeria.

He said that the project would be cut across for primary healthcare centres services, family planning services, at communities and underserved entities in the country.

Mr David Adeyemi, CEO/Founder, Pharmachain Technologies, who was part of the team that drafted the policy, commended the effort of the team in producing the policy.

He identified lack of implementation as a major setback to most policies in Nigeria, but assuring that the NEPP would not different.

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‎Cassona’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Chigbu, at the company’s third anniversary in Lagos, noted that improving Africa’s diagnostic capacity was critical to enable prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases for improved patient outcomes.

According to him, the plan is to make healthcare delivery affordable and accessible for more citizens.

Chigbu emphasised that Cassona’s mission extends beyond equipment supply to include building healthcare ecosystems through hospital construction, offering financing programmes, providing installation and maintenance, and developing local talent with training and recruitment initiatives.

‎He noted that many African health workers lack hands-on experience with modern machines, which Cassona aims to bridge through structured training and continuous support.

“The company has also begun building diagnostic centres and fast-tracked hospitals to help private practitioners deliver quality care without the heavy financial burden of acquiring equipment outright.

“We bring equipment at more affordable rates. You pay 20 per cent upfront and spread the balance over 24 months, while we maintain it so it never fails.

“We will also train doctors, radiologists, sonographers and provide backup power systems to keep equipment running during power cuts,” he said.

‎Having first tested its model in Ghana, Chigbu said Cassona has installed over 140 machines in three years without a single breakdown — a feat he attributes to strict maintenance systems and trust in healthcare providers’ professionalism.

Chigbu noted that Cassona’s operations supported by the U.S. Embassy aims to improve access to quality healthcare, boost economic growth by creating jobs, and foster sustainable development for robust health infrastructure in Nigeria, and Africa.

Also, Prof. Enoch Uche, Abia State Commissioner for Health, called for improved public-private partnerships to accelerate universal healthcare in Nigeria.

Uche pledged the state’s commitment to partner with Cassona to drive quality, accessible and affordable healthcare, adding that Abia State is driving a healthcare revolution.

He disclosed that the state had commenced construction in its primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, noting that 50 primary health care centres were functionalised within two weeks.

Similarly, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor, said strategic public-private partnerships are crucial to accelerate Lagos THEMES+ health agenda.

‎Ogunyemi noted that partnering with companies such as Cassona would ensure better diagnostics, better treatment outcomes, and improved trust in the public health system.

“We know as a government that we cannot do this alone. So, we need people like this to help us get to where we want to be, which is access to affordable, quality healthcare,” she said.

She emphasised that access to high-tech imaging equipment would ensure the health system tackles a broad range of diseases with precision and reliability.

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Dr Suleiman Ciroma, Head of Enforcement, PCN Headquarters, said this on Friday in Minna while briefing newsmen at the North Central Zonal Office in Minna after the council’s inspection exercise in the state.

He said the sealed premises comprised 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops and 290 unlicensed outlets.

Ciroma also said that one person was arrested for allegedly obstructing PCN inspectors in the course of their duties and would be prosecuted.

According to him, 672 premises, including 136 pharmacies and 536 patent medicine shops, were inspected across nine Local Government Areas namely Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja and Gurara.

He explained that the exercise focused on compliance with professional ethics, personnel, premises standards and pharmaceutical practice to ensure safe and quality service delivery.

The PCN enforcement head said the inspection revealed illegal operations of unlicensed outlets, unauthorised clinical practice, non-compliance with regulations, sale of controlled drugs and unapproved training of apprentices, among others.

He urged members of the public to patronise only licensed premises, which he said, could be identified by the display of current licences.

Ciroma commended residents of Niger for their cooperation during the exercise, noting that the council’s nationwide enforcement would help check the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines.

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The chairman of the association, Mr Babatunde Lawal, made the call in an interview with our correspondent on Monday in Ota.

Lawal urged governments at all levels to support the association with infrastructural development, good policies, and financial assistance to enhance its operations and also ensure the availability of potable drinking water.

He also called for stricter regulations on factories and greenhouse gas emissions to ensure long-term sustainability of water for human consumption.

According to him, there is a need for governments to redouble their efforts because the country is facing unique challenges in providing access to safe and clean drinking water.

Lawal emphasised the need for promoting sustainable water management practices and access to safe water in the state, and the country at large.

He appealed to members of the association to adhere to international best practices so that they could build a stronger industry that would guarantee quality water for healthier Nigerians.

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