The Lagos State government has set up a Covid-19 test result verification platform following an undercover investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

The investigation exposed a fake negative covid-19 test result racket syndicate operating from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, the Lagos State Biobank and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. It also exposed agents who supply fake results from government-approved private laboratory including 54gene and Synlab.

Akin Abayomi, a professor and commissioner for health, said the Lagos State government had deployed a verification platform to validate the authenticity of Covid-19 PCR test done at private and state-owned laboratories for outbound flights.

The platform can be accessed through an app and the use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data-codes (USSD), while the USSD option is available on all networks in Nigeria and can also be accessed outside of Nigeria as long as the mobile line is on a Nigerian telecommunication network. The Lagos State COVID-19 Result Verification App can be downloaded from Google Store, Apple Store or directly from the internet.

On how it works, Abayomi stated that it would utilize the laboratory reference number to verify the COVID-19 PCR test, validating the result real-time,. He also said passengers can download their result sheets, which can be shown to anyone requiring it.

He noted that outbound air passengers were mandated to present negative Covid-19 PCR test result following the re-opening of the economy and airports in the country but “unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements have taken advantage of the situation to enrich themselves by falsifying COVID-19 PCR results and selling them to passengers”.

READ MORE: UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION: With a Fake COVID-19 Certificate, I Travelled from Nigeria to the UK — and Back!

“The Lagos State government would also be placing personnel at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to assist in the verification process of the COVID-19 PCR results for all outbound passengers,” the statement by Abayomi read.

“The Lagos State Government continues to frown at the falsification of Covid-19 PCR test results; and anyone caught in this illegal practice will be prosecuted. The State Government will continue to strengthen its response against this pandemic to protect the lives and livelihood of all Lagosians and residents.”

THE FULL STATEMENT

VERIFICATION OF COVID-19 PCR TEST RESULTS IN LAGOS STATE

The Lagos State Government has deployed a verification platform to validate the authenticity of COVID-19 PCR tests done within the Private Laboratory Consortium and all State Public laboratories for outbound flights. This platform can be accessed through an App and the use of USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data-codes).

The USSD option, which is available on all networks in Nigeria, can also be accessed outside of Nigeria as long as the mobile line is on a Nigerian Telecommunications Network. The USSD option can be accessed by dialing 3513119# on the 9mobile network and 5550019# on all other networks and following the onscreen prompts to verify results. The first 30,000 result verification will be free – courtesy of the Lagos State Government. Subsequent verification will attract N50 per usage for the user/client.

The Lagos State COVID-19 Result Verification App can be downloaded through Google Store, Apple Store or directly through the internet, using the link https://appsenjoy.com/ZZXaP. It will utilize the laboratory reference number to verify the COVID-19 PCR test, validating the result real-time and passengers can download their result sheets, which can be shown to anyone requiring it. The App version can be used and accessed within and outside of Nigeria but unlike the USSD, does not require a Nigerian Telecommunications Network. It is available once it is downloaded and the internet is available. It is noteworthy to mention that verification through the App is free at all times.

The process can be used by all clients who require the validation of COVID-19 PCR results, such as Airports, Airlines, Work- related processes and passengers themselves. The Lagos State Government would also be placing personnel at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to assist in the verification process of the COVID-19 PCR results for all outbound passengers.

Following the re-opening of the economy, and the airport borders, it has become increasingly necessary for outbound passengers to take COVID-19 PCR tests before departing Nigeria as a prerequisite for travel to specific destinations. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements have taken advantage of the situation to enrich themselves by falsifying COVID-19 PCR results and selling them to passengers.

The Lagos State Government continues to frown at the falsification of COVID-19 PCR test results; and anyone caught in this illegal practice will be prosecuted. The State Government will continue to strengthen its response against this pandemic to protect the lives and livelihood of all Lagosians and residents.

Signed

Prof. Akin Abayomi

Honorable Commissioner for Health