Nigerian Economic Summit Goes Ahead in Abuja With New Health Safeguards
By Patience Ikpeme
The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32) will take place as planned on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has confirmed.
The Summit will run in a modified hybrid format, with people attending both physically and online. Extra public health measures have been agreed with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The announcement follows the confirmation on 20 October 2026 of a single imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) disease in the Federal Capital Territory.
Health authorities have isolated the patient and are monitoring those who came into contact with the person.
The NESG said it studied the situation against the NCDC Public Health Guidelines for Mass Gatherings and concluded that “an imported case alone does not warrant event cancellation.”
The Summit will therefore go ahead with documented precautions, based on a health security risk assessment, to protect the health and safety of participants.
Speaking on the decision, the Chief Executive Officer of the NESG, Dr Tayo Aduloju, said: “The safety of every delegate, partner and member of staff comes first. We have taken this decision on the evidence and in close partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, Africa CDC, the FCT health authorities and Transcorp Hilton. The measures in place are proportionate and tested, and they allow Nigeria’s foremost platform for public–private dialogue to meet at a time when the conversation on our economy matters more than ever. We thank our partners for their support and urge everyone to follow the guidance of the health authorities.”
The organisers say the full complement of the Presidency, members of the Federal Executive Council, State Governors and Captains of Industry are confirmed to attend. Keynote speakers from Nigeria and abroad will also take part, including the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed; Prof Stefan Derco of Oxford University; and the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Samad Rabiu. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare will attend the Opening Ceremony.
Only registered delegates will be allowed into the venue. Physical registration has closed, and there will be no registration on site and no walk-in entry. All plenary sessions will be streamed live on the NES#32 virtual platform, and registered delegates may choose to take part online instead of in person.
Everyone entering the venue, including delegates, staff, vendors and journalists, will fill in a health declaration form and have their temperature checked each day. Anyone who has a fever or other symptoms, or who has been in contact with a known or suspected case in the past 21 days, has been asked not to come to the venue and to join online instead.
The organisers also sought to calm public fears about how the disease spreads. They explained that Ebola is not spread through the air or by people who show no symptoms. It spreads only through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is ill.
Members of the public with health concerns can call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232. Delegates will receive the NES#32 Delegates Health & Safety Information Pack by email.
The NESG said it is reviewing the situation every day with the health authorities and will announce any change quickly through its official channels.
