The Chairman of the Expert Advisory Committee on Public Health Emergencies at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, has accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Oraanos of ignorance over remarks she made about outbreak management, the NCDC said in a statement on Thursday.

Shuaib spoke during the official presentation of the NCDC 2025 annual report in Lagos, where he addressed questions about ongoing disease response efforts and public commentary by elected officials.

According to the statement, Shuaib said he was concerned by comments attributed to Senator Akpoti-Oraanos regarding the handling of recent disease outbreaks and the capacity of public health institutions.

He said such comments reflect a lack of understanding of technical processes in outbreak management.

Shuaib said the NCDC operates within a scientific and regulatory framework when responding to public health emergencies and emphasised the importance of accurate information during disease outbreaks.

He said the centre’s expert advisory committee uses national guidelines and global best practices in managing health crises.

Senator Akpoti-Oraanos had made public statements about the management of certain outbreaks, advocating for improved preparedness and quicker institutional responses.

Her comments were widely circulated on social media and in some news outlets, prompting response from health officials, according to the report.