News

Poor diagnostic capacity driving misdiagnosis of acute fever – US CDC

Published

4 months ago

September 17, 2025

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said limited laboratory diagnostic capacity for Acute Febrile Illness is leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of diseases, and inappropriate treatment and management of patients in Nigeria.

The US CDC made this known at a media roundtable in Abuja to highlight its support for AFI surveillance in the country, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners.

Experts say addressing gaps such as weak policies, limited testing facilities, and poor diagnostic capacity is essential to strengthen AFI surveillance in Nigeria.

Delivering his presentation, the Senior Public Health Specialist for Epidemiology and Surveillance at the US CDC Nigeria, Oladipupo Ipadeola, said AFI is an illness characterised by the rapid onset of fever, with or without other symptoms.

Ipadeola stated that AFI, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, is more prevalent in children and young adults but can affect all age groups.

He noted that AFI presents with overlapping symptoms and that limited laboratory diagnostic capacity complicates its management.

He highlighted that AFI surveillance is crucial for early identification of infectious disease outbreaks, understanding their epidemiology, and implementing control measures.

“AFI surveillance refers to the systematic monitoring and investigation of cases of acute fever that occur suddenly and typically have a short duration. In Nigeria, limited laboratory diagnostic capacity for AFI is leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of diseases, and inappropriate treatment and management of patients.

“Addressing AFI surveillance gaps, such as a lack of clear policy, limited geographical spread of testing facilities, and poor diagnostic capacity, is essential. A good understanding of AFI cases in a country allows ministries of health and other public health institutions to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity,” he said.

He, however, added that the Federal Government has shown commitment and implemented several strategies and initiatives to address AFIs.

“Some of the key actions include surveillance and monitoring to improve early detection and response, public health education campaigns, malaria control programmes, vaccination initiatives, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and collaborating with partners to enhance AFI activities,” he noted.

He explained that the U.S. CDC, in collaboration with the NCDC and other partners, has established sentinel surveillance sites across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, testing over 11,000 samples for priority diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Lassa fever, and COVID-19.

The agency also enhanced laboratory capacity by upgrading equipment, introducing multiplex PCR testing, and training staff in selected laboratories.

He emphasised that AFI surveillance is a key component of the U.S. CDC’s work to advance global health security and noted that AFI surveillance is helping to identify disease patterns, co-infections, and strengthen diagnostic capacity in Nigeria.

He added that since August 2024, coordination of the programme has been handed over to the NCDC, while the US CDC continues to provide technical support, rapid diagnostic kits, and laboratory reagents to improve testing at sentinel sites.

In her opening remarks, the Programme Director at the Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. CDC Nigeria, Farah Husain, emphasised the importance of strengthening surveillance for AFI in Nigeria, as they are among the most common but often misunderstood health conditions.

She explained that a robust surveillance system will help identify the causes, burden, and spread of such diseases, enabling better and faster responses to outbreaks.

“Today’s engagement is a broader effort by the U.S. CDC in collaboration with the NCDC to establish a sustainable AFI surveillance system in Nigeria.

“The overall intent of this system is to help improve early detection, enhance laboratory capacity, strengthen data, and ultimately help us respond better and faster to outbreaks,” she stated.

The Director of Surveillance at the NCDC, Fatima Saleh, stressed the need to strengthen surveillance systems, improve response capacity, and scale up outreach efforts.

Saleh emphasised the need for strong advocacy across all levels of government to ensure evidence-based action, wider inclusion, and sustained support for protecting the health of Nigerians.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 469

News

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 10

News

Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 9

News

Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea