Diphtheria spread: Plateau closes school from Monday – THISAGE

The Plateau State Government has ordered the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following suspected cases of diphtheria in some parts of the state.

The directive, issued by the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, takes effect on Monday, September 7, 2026 and applies to all schools, including those that have already resumed academic activities for the new session.

The state government said the decision was a preventive measure intended to safeguard pupils, students, teachers and non-teaching staff from possible exposure to the infectious disease.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, on Saturday said the government suspected cases of diphtheria identified in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa local government areas.

“Consequently, schools that have already resumed academic activities are also required to close starting Monday 7 September 2026 and remain closed until further notice,” the statement read.

The government urged school owners and administrators to fully comply with the directive and ensure that academic activities do not continue during this period.

He also appealed to parents and guardians to keep their children and wards safe at home, stressing that the measure is intended to protect the wider school community while authorities respond to the health concern.

The decision comes amid the ongoing public health challenge posed by diphtheria in Nigeria.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that mainly affects the nose and throat and can, in some cases, lead to serious complications, including heart problems.

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) identifies diphtheria as a priority disease requiring timely reporting of suspected cases.

The disease is preventable through vaccination, while treatment generally involves antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin. Because transmission can occur in close contact settings, schools may be of particular concern when suspected cases occur among children and young people.

Available NCDC data has also previously shown a plateau among Nigerian states affected by diphtheria, underscoring the importance of strengthened surveillance and rapid response when suspected cases emerge.

The Plateau government said the temporary closure does not constitute a permanent suspension of the academic calendar but a precautionary intervention intended to minimize the risk of transmission while the situation is assessed.

The Commissioner appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the directive, in particular school authorities and parents, compliance with which would be crucial to ensuring that pupils and students do not continue to gather in school settings during this period.

The government said it appreciates the understanding and cooperation of stakeholders as it continues to take what it described as appropriate measures in the best interests of residents. He added that further information on the resumption of academic activities will be communicated to the public in due course.

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