The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to intensify diphtheria vaccination and awareness campaigns in schools across the country. The resolution was passed during plenary on Wednesday, March 12, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the house spokesperson.

The move follows reports that several students at King’s College Lagos were hospitalized due to a diphtheria outbreak. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin. Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty breathing. In recent months, the disease has claimed the lives of hundreds, mostly children.

In presenting the motion, Rotimi emphasized that the outbreak at King’s College revealed significant lapses in infection prevention and control measures at federal unity colleges. He stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive nationwide health and safety strategy for schools.

The motion was unanimously adopted after being put to a voice vote by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Following the vote, the House called on 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 across the country to prevent future outbreaks.

Additionally, the House urged the government to take “immediate and decisive” actions to strengthen health and safety protocols in all federal unity colleges, with a particular focus on King’s College.