Plateau closes schools over spread of diphtheria

By Ola Taiwo

Plateau State Government has ordered a temporary closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state  owing to an outbreak of suspected cases of diphtheria in the state

The disease has reportedly claimed 23 lives in the last two weeks in the state.

According to the state  Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, 143 suspected cases have been recorded, while 23 people have died from the disease within the past two weeks.

The government’s directive which affects both public and private schools in the state takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026.

The state government, in a statement, said it took the decision as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the disease after suspected cases were identified in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas.

The government in the statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said the closure was part of efforts to safeguard pupils, students and school workers.

“The directive under the leadership of His Excellency, Caleb Manaseh Mutfwang, Esq, is taking preventative measures against the diphtheria infection outbreak of suspected cases in some parts of the state notably Jos North, Wase, Jos South & Bassa, local Government Areas,” Ramnap said.

The government directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to ensure strict compliance with the order and keep children at home throughout the period.

“School proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians are to comply fully with the directives and ensure that students and pupils remain safely at home throughout the period as part of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff,” the commissioner said.

The government also appealed to stakeholders to cooperate with ongoing public health interventions in affected communities, assuring that the measures were aimed at protecting lives and preventing further transmission of the infection.