House Mandates FMoH, NCDC To Intensify Diphtheria Vaccination Across Nigeria

The House of Representatives has mandated the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, and the NCDC to intensify diphtheria vaccination and awareness campaigns in schools across the country to prevent future outbreaks.

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The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Education to take immediate and decisive measures to strengthen health and safety protocols in all federal unity colleges, with particular
attention to addressing the situation at King’s College.

The lawmakers also mandated the House Committees on Health and Basic Education to engage with relevant agencies, including the NCDC, to assess and enhance infection prevention and emergency response measures in federal schools.

They equally directed the Federal Ministry of Education to undertake an urgent and comprehensive review of health infrastructure in unity colleges and establish a clear and effective framework for responding to infectious disease outbreaks in educational institutions.

The House mandated the NCDC to establish and implement a structured disease surveillance
system within all federal unity colleges to ensure early detection and rapid response
to infectious disease outbreaks.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a “Motion Of Urgent Public Importance
Issue: The Outbreak Of Diphtheria In King’s College, Lagos”, sponsor: Mr. Akin Rotimi, Jr.

Leading the debate on the motion, Mr. Rotimi commended the Lagos State Government, the NCDC, and other health authorities for
their swift and commendable response, and encourage continued collaboration
between federal and state agencies to safeguard the health and well-being of
students.

He recommended that the Federal Government should provide appropriate compensation to
the family of the deceased student, in recognition of the tragic loss suffered and the
duty of care owed to students in federal institutions.

” The House Notes with deep concern the outbreak of diphtheria in the boarding house of King’s College, Victoria Island Annexe, a federal government-owned institution, which has regrettably resulted in the demise of a 12-year-old student and the hospitalization of several others.

” Also notes that from week 19 of 2022 to week 04 of 2025, there were 24,804 confirmed cases of diphtheria across 25 states in Nigeria according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Weekly Diphtheria Situation Report of 26th January, 2025.
Concerned that out of the 24,804 confirmed cases reported in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Weekly Diphtheria Situation Report of 26th January, 2025, there were 1,269 fatalities across 18 states, with some states having as high as 80-83% Case Fatality Rate (CFR).
Also Concerned that this unfortunate incident exposes significant lapses in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in federal unity colleges and underscores the Federal Ministry of Education’s responsibility to ensure the health and safety of students in its institutions.

” Acknowledges the prompt intervention of the Lagos State Government in activating
an Emergency Operations Committee (EOC), isolating and treating affected students, and initiating a mass vaccination campaign to contain the spread of the disease. The motion said

Mr. Rotimi recognizes the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),
the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Lagos State in managing the crisis, while emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and proactive nationwide strategy for health and safety in schools.

The House also observed a moment of silence in honour of the deceased student and extend
heartfelt condolences to his family and the King’s College community.