Fears grow that Nigeria’s health minister may be in self-isolation having been in contact with Abba Kyari

FEARS are growing that Nigeria’s health minister Dr Osagie Ehanire may be in self-isolation amid the possibility that he may be at risk of contracting the dreaded coronavirus after being in close contact with the affected chief of staff to the president Mallam Abba Kyari.

Last week, Mallam Kyari returned to Nigeria from a trip to Germany and Egypt where it is believed he contacted the virus. However, upon his return to the country, Mallam Kyari did not go into the mandatory 14-day self-isolation and even attended a meeting of the federal executive council where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari, vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo and ministers.

Dr Ehanire has been leading the fight against coronavirus in Nigeria calling a press conference as recently as Monday to announce new government measures. He was however conspicuously absent during the receipt of medical items donated by Jack Ma at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja yesterday and did not hold any press conference to comment on the donation.

Instead, Abdullahi Mashi, the permanent secretary in the health ministry received the items on behalf of the federal government. Senior ministry officials could not confirm if the minister was in isolation but they did confirm he was not in his office.