The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to enforce mandatory diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment in healthcare centres across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
In addition, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to launch nationwide sensitisation campaigns to educate the public on the dangers, symptoms, and transmission methods of diphtheria, in a bid to curb further spread and fatalities.
These directives followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori. The House also mandated its Committee on Health and Health Institutions to assess the level of compliance with the immunisation directive and evaluate the capacity of health institutions to respond effectively to the current diphtheria outbreak.
Describing diphtheria as a growing public health threat, Laori explained that the disease caused by Corynebacterium bacteria first made a deadly impact in Nigeria during the 2011 outbreak in Borno State, which claimed 21 lives. He warned that the current resurgence poses a serious risk to Nigeria’s already overstretched healthcare system.
Laori highlighted that diphtheria primarily affects the nose, throat, and skin and can lead to severe complications involving the heart. It spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and overcrowded or unhygienic environments, particularly impacting children and those with weakened immune systems.
He pointed out that diphtheria has largely been eradicated in countries like the United States and those in Europe due to high vaccination rates. In contrast, the disease still thrives in parts of Africa, including Nigeria, due to low immunisation coverage. Countries such as Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania have managed to limit fatalities by investing in early detection, confirmed laboratory diagnosis, and readily available antitoxins and antibiotics.
Laori lamented that Nigeria’s situation remains dire. From May 2022 to February 2025, the country recorded 41,978 suspected cases of diphtheria. Kano and Yobe States reported the highest numbers 24,062 and 5,330 cases respectively followed by Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina. Most cases involved children aged 1–14, with only 19.7% fully vaccinated. During this period, 1,279 deaths were recorded.
Expressing grave concern, Laori warned that without swift and coordinated action, the fatality rate could increase and the outbreak could spread beyond the currently affected states. He emphasised the urgent need to improve vaccination coverage, ensure the availability of effective antitoxins and treatments, and reduce delays in clinical diagnosis and test confirmation factors he said continue to fuel the crisis.
