The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to make diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment programme compulsory to check the spread of the disease across the country.
The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Bitrus Laori, lawmaker who represents Demsa/Numan/Lamurde Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
According to him, Diphtheria, caused by the Corynebacterium bacteria, poses a growing threat to Nigeria’s already fragile health system.
“Since the first major outbreak in Borno State in 2011, which claimed 21 lives, the disease has continued to resurface with devastating effects, particularly among unvaccinated children.
“The disease, which targets the nose, throat, and skin and in severe cases, the heart, is transmitted through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and unhygienic, overcrowded environments. Children and immunocompromised individuals are the most vulnerable.”
While presenting his motion, Laori stated that diphtheria remains largely under control in developed countries with robust vaccination programmes, stating that it has continued to thrive in African nations, including Nigeria, due to poor immunisation coverage.
He said, “Unlike countries such as the USA and those in Europe where diphtheria is virtually nonexistent due to widespread vaccination, the disease is re-emerging in parts of Africa. While Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania have managed to limit fatalities through swift diagnosis and treatment, Nigeria is still grappling with soaring infection rates.”
Citing data from May 2022 to February 2025, Laori noted that Nigeria recorded 41,978 suspected cases across multiple states, with Kano and Yobe leading in reported infections, 24,062 and 5,330 respectively. The majority of the affected were children aged 1 to 14, with only 19.7% fully vaccinated, resulting in 1,279 deaths within the reporting period.
The lawmaker warned that unless urgent action is taken, the disease could spread further and lead to even higher mortality rates due to low vaccination levels, delayed diagnosis, and insufficient treatment options.
The motion received unanimous support in the session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In its resolution, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to immediately commence mandatory vaccination, testing, and treatment across health facilities in all 774 local government areas.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to launch intensive sensitisation campaigns to educate the public on the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of diphtheria.
The House also mandated its Committees on Health and Health Institutions to evaluate the enforcement of the mandatory vaccination directive and assess the readiness of health institutions to handle the outbreak. The committees are expected to report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.
