The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to ramp up diphtheria vaccination and awareness campaigns in schools nationwide. This resolution was passed during plenary on Wednesday, March 12, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the House spokesperson.
The decision comes in response to reports of a diphtheria outbreak at King’s College, Lagos, where several students were hospitalized. Diphtheria, a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species, affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty breathing. In recent months, the disease has claimed hundreds of lives, primarily among children.
While presenting the motion, Rotimi highlighted that the outbreak at King’s College exposed critical gaps in infection prevention and control measures at federal unity colleges. He underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive national health and safety strategy for schools to address such vulnerabilities.
The motion was unanimously adopted after a voice vote by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Subsequently, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to intensify diphtheria vaccination and awareness campaigns in schools to prevent further outbreaks.
Additionally, the House called on the government to take “immediate and decisive” steps to strengthen health and safety protocols in all federal unity colleges, with particular attention to King’s College. This move aims to safeguard students and prevent future public health crises.
