The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to initiate a nationwide diphtheria vaccination campaign in schools to combat the spread of this serious bacterial infection. This call to action follows the tragic death of a 12-year-old student from diphtheria at King’s College, Lagos, and reports of several others hospitalized.
During a plenary session, House spokesman Akin Rotimi introduced a motion highlighting the urgent need for government intervention. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 24,804 confirmed cases of diphtheria across 25 states since 2022, leading to 1,269 deaths in 18 states.
“The House is deeply concerned that this incident exposes significant lapses in infection prevention and control measures in federal unity colleges,” Rotimi stated. He praised the Lagos State Government for its rapid response, including isolating affected students and launching a mass vaccination drive.
The House directed the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the NCDC to ramp up vaccination efforts and public awareness campaigns in schools. Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Education was tasked with reviewing health infrastructure in unity colleges and establishing a clear response framework for infectious disease outbreaks.
Lawmakers also called for compensation for the family of the deceased student, recognizing the responsibility of federal institutions to safeguard student health.
