In a bid to tackle the growing threat of diphtheria, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to launch an urgent nationwide vaccination campaign in schools.
This decision came after a motion highlighting the recent outbreak at King’s College, Lagos, was adopted during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The motion, presented by House spokesman Akin Rotimi, was titled The Outbreak of Diphtheria in King’s College, Lagos. It came in response to the tragic death of a 12-year-old student from the disease, along with several others who were hospitalized.
Rotimi emphasized the urgency of the situation, referencing disturbing statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in its Weekly Diphtheria Situation Report, dated January 26, 2025. According to the report, the country has witnessed 24,804 confirmed diphtheria cases across 25 states since 2022, resulting in 1,269 fatalities in 18 states.
“The rising cases of diphtheria are deeply concerning, and this particular incident sheds light on severe lapses in infection prevention measures at federal unity colleges,” Rotimi told the lawmakers.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure the safety of students in these institutions, while also commending the swift actions taken by the Lagos State Government, which included isolating affected students, activating an Emergency Operations Committee, and rolling out a mass vaccination campaign.
The NCDC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) were also acknowledged for their efforts in containing the disease.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House instructed the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, and NCDC to intensify vaccination efforts and conduct a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at preventing further outbreaks.
The lawmakers further directed the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently assess and improve health infrastructure in unity colleges and establish a comprehensive response plan for infectious disease outbreaks.
In addition to these measures, the House tasked its Committees on Health and Basic Education with engaging relevant agencies to enhance infection control protocols and emergency response strategies in federal schools.
The motion also called for the Federal Government to provide compensation to the family of the deceased student, recognizing the profound loss and the responsibility of care owed to students attending federal institutions.
This move reflects the growing concern over public health safety in educational institutions across the country, with the House reiterating the importance of proactive measures to safeguard students against preventable diseases.
