Lara Adejoro
The Federal Government, on Saturday, clarified that the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, identified in Australia and some other countries, is not present in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare made the clarification in a statement while reacting to the leaked memo notifying the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors to activate alert systems across hospitals and maintain a high index of suspicion for patients with COVID-like symptoms.
The memo was dated December 5, 2025, and referenced: Ref.No.DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46.
The memo signed by the Head of the Teaching Hospital Division, Dr O.N. Anuma, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, stated, “I am directed to inform you of a newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, which has been reported in Australia and has already spread to 29 countries globally. You may wish to know that this variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.
“Alert systems should be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for a high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms.
“We request your committee to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols. Timely information sharing among relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, will be vital for effective response strategies.”
Meanwhile, the ministry urged Nigerians not to panic, but to continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene, including washing of hands.
“You may recall that a newly detected COVID variant XEC, was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 Countries globally and has shown more virulence over other circulating strains with concern over its possible impact on service delivery in our Federal Tertiary Hospitals. However, the good news is that there is no evidence of COVID-19 variant XEC in Nigeria.
“In light of the above the general public is advised not to panic but continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene including regular hand washing. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its agencies has stepped up surveillance including at all entry points to Nigeria”, it added.
The Federal Government has proactively upgraded our Federal Tertiary Hospitals by establishing Molecular Laboratories, Isolation centers, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.
“Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to address and correct the misinformation circulating on social media regarding a supposed resurgence of COVID-19 in the country,” the statement read partly.
In November, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention advised the AU Member States to continue to enhance influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory syndrome surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 cases and emerging variants.
It said the XEC variant is a subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain and was first reported in May 2024. It is currently being monitored by the health authorities in other regions.
Africa CDC stated that XEC has been detected in 43 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
“In Africa, Botswana reported 1 XEC case from a hospitalized European traveller. However, there is limited testing and sequencing than before, making it difficult to know the spread of XEC variant in Africa,” it noted.
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