Plateau Reopens Schools Sept 14 After Diphtheria Outbreak Killed 27

The Plateau State Government has directed the resumption of academic activities in all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state with effect from Monday, September 14, 2026, following the implementation of precautionary and public health measures to contain the suspected diphtheria outbreak that has claimed at least 27 lives and infected more than 303 others.

The resumption directive was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, on Friday, bringing an end to a week of uncertainty that had gripped parents, students and school administrators since the government ordered the temporary closure of schools on September 7 as a preventive measure.

The government explained that the closure was designed to provide health authorities with the opportunity to assess the situation and strengthen surveillance and response mechanisms in affected and potentially affected communities. The decision to reopen, Ramnap said, was taken in line with the administration's commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community while ensuring continuity in the education sector.

The outbreak, which was first reported in early August, has hit communities across Jos North Local Government Area particularly hard. Health authorities recorded symptoms including mild fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty in swallowing, weakness and the presence of a plaque at the back of the throat. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, had earlier attributed some of the deaths to late presentation at health facilities and urged parents to seek prompt medical attention when children develop symptoms.

As schools prepare to reopen, the government has directed that all school authorities must have basic precautionary measures in place and maintain a clean and hygienic learning environment. Teachers and school management have been encouraged to remain vigilant for symptoms or signs suggestive of diphtheria and to promptly alert the appropriate health authorities. The government assured parents, guardians, school proprietors and administrators that appropriate health measures were being put in place to combat the disease and minimise the risk of transmission as schools reopen.

Parents and guardians have been urged to take personal hygiene seriously, including regular handwashing, maintaining clean surroundings, avoiding unnecessary close contact with persons showing suspicious symptoms, and seeking medical attention promptly whenever a child or any member of the household develops concerning symptoms. Any suspected or identified case should be taken immediately to the nearest health centre or appropriate health facility for proper assessment and management.

In a stern warning, the government advised members of the public against self-medication or concealing suspected cases, stressing that early detection and appropriate treatment remained critical to preventing further spread. The government called on parents, guardians, school proprietors, teachers and students to support its efforts by adhering to all health advisories and ensuring that the resumption of academic activities is accompanied by responsible health practices.

The reopening of schools comes amid heightened concerns over the availability of diphtheria antitoxin in the country, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Government working to procure the treatment. The state government had earlier alerted the NCDC and requested materials needed for the collection and transportation of samples for laboratory confirmation, which have since been received.

The outbreak in Plateau State is part of a broader national crisis. According to the NCDC, Nigeria has recorded more than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases and over 300 deaths in 2026, with northern and central states, including Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Plateau, among the worst affected. More than 60 per cent of suspected cases nationally are among unvaccinated individuals, underscoring the critical role of routine immunisation in preventing the spread of the disease.

As students return to classrooms on Monday, the coming weeks will test the resilience of Plateau's health system and the effectiveness of the government's response to one of the most serious public health crises to hit the state in recent memory. The message from authorities is clear: this disease is preventable, but only if parents, schools and communities work together to ensure that every child is protected and every suspected case is reported without delay.