Concerned about the rising cases of diphtheria in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to initiate a nationwide diphtheria vaccination campaign in schools, following the death of a 12-year-old student at King’s College, Lagos.
Raising the motion during plenary on Wednesday, House spokesman Akin Rotimi stressed the urgency of government intervention as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 24,804 confirmed cases and 1,269 deaths across 25 states since 2022. He noted that the outbreak at King’s College exposed gaps in infection control within federal unity colleges, raising concerns about student safety.
Rotimi commended the Lagos State Government for swiftly isolating affected students and activating emergency response measures, including mass vaccination. He also acknowledged the efforts of the NCDC and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in containing the outbreak.
Following deliberations, the House directed the Federal Ministries of Health and Education to intensify vaccination and disease prevention efforts in schools.
Lawmakers also called for an urgent review of health infrastructure in federal schools to strengthen infection control measures.
Additionally, they urged the government to compensate the bereaved family, acknowledging its duty to protect students in its institutions.
