The House of Representatives has issued a directive to the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and National Health Care Development Agency (NHCDA) to enforce mandatory diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment across healthcare centres throughout Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Kwamoti Laori during Wednesday's plenary session, highlighting the alarming spread of the bacterial infection that has become a critical public health concern since its first outbreak in Borno State in 2011.

According to data presented by Laori, Nigeria has recorded 41,978 suspected cases of diphtheria between May 2022 and February 2025. The outbreak has predominantly affected northern states including Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina, with Kano and Yobe states reporting the highest numbers at 24,062 and 5,330 cases respectively.

The bacterial infection, caused by Corynebacterium species, affects the nose, throat, skin, and in severe cases, the heart. It spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated objects, making it particularly dangerous in crowded, unsanitary environments.

Most concerning is that the majority of cases involve children aged 1-14 years, with only 19.7 percent of affected individuals being fully vaccinated. This low vaccination rate has contributed to a death toll of 1,279 within the reported period.

Laori emphasized the stark contrast between Nigeria's situation and other African nations like Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania, which have reported outbreaks with minimal fatalities due to effective vaccination coverage, early detection, and availability of treatment options.

"Diphtheria thrives in Africa due to low vaccination rates, while remaining virtually absent in the United States and Europe, where vaccination coverage is high," Laori stated during his presentation.

In addition to mandating immunisation efforts, the House has directed the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to launch public awareness campaigns about diphtheria's dangers, symptoms, and transmission modes to prevent further spread.

The House Committee on Health and Health Institutions has been tasked with assessing compliance with the mandatory immunisation directive and evaluating the capacity of health institutions to effectively respond to the current threat. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Health experts have consistently warned that improving vaccination rates is the most effective strategy for controlling diphtheria outbreaks, as the disease primarily threatens unvaccinated individuals.