The House of Representatives has called for immediate implementation of mandatory diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment across all 774 LGAs
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 (NPHCDA)to immediately implement mandatory diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment at all healthcare centres across Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The directive, issued during Wednesday’s plenary, also mandated the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to embark on a comprehensive sensitisation campaign to educate Nigerians about the dangers, symptoms, and transmission methods of diphtheria, in a bid to curb further spread and prevent avoidable deaths.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori (PDP, Adamawa), who raised alarm over the worsening diphtheria outbreak in parts of the country.
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The House further tasked its Committee on Health and Health Institutions to evaluate the level of compliance with the immunisation directive and assess the capacity of Nigeria’s healthcare system to respond effectively to the escalating threat.
Laori described diphtheria as a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species, which has reemerged as a critical public health concern since the first outbreak in Borno State in 2011, where 21 lives were lost.
He warned that the current resurgence poses significant risks to Nigeria’s already overstretched public health infrastructure.
“Diphtheria thrives in Africa due to low vaccination rates while remaining virtually absent in countries like the United States of America and Europe, where vaccination coverage is high. Thus, diphtheria primarily threatens unvaccinated individuals who travel internationally or come into contact with infected persons,” Rep. Laori said.
He explained that diphtheria affects the nose, throat, skin, and in severe cases, the heart. It is highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and unsanitary, overcrowded environments—conditions common in many communities across Nigeria, especially among children and immunocompromised individuals.
Citing global examples, Rep. Laori noted that countries such as Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania had recently experienced outbreaks but recorded only a few deaths due to early detection, adequate vaccination coverage, and ready availability of antitoxins and antibiotics.
In stark contrast, he lamented the situation in Nigeria. “Our statistics paint a dire picture,” he said, pointing out that from May 2022 to February 2025, Nigeria recorded 41,978 suspected cases of diphtheria from states including Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina—with Kano and Yobe states bearing the highest burden at 24,062 and 5,330 cases respectively.
He added that most victims were children aged 1 to 14, with only 19.7 percent fully vaccinated, leading to 1,279 deaths within the same period.
Laori expressed deep concern that without immediate action, the already high case fatality rate could escalate further and spread to other parts of the country. He highlighted the pressing need to improve vaccination rates, ensure timely access to effective antitoxins and antibiotics, and address diagnostic delays that hamper containment efforts.
