Plateau State closes all schools indefinitely over diphtheria outbreak

The Plateau State Government has suspended all educational activities across its public and private primary and secondary institutions, effective Monday, September 7, 2026. The shutdown, announced Saturday by Commissioner for Information Joyce Lohya Ramnap on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang's administration, will remain in place until further notice as authorities work to contain suspected diphtheria cases affecting multiple areas of the state.

Health officials have confirmed the severity of the situation. The state's Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, reported that 23 deaths have been attributed to the disease, with nine patients currently receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital and other medical facilities.

The outbreak has been confirmed in at least four Local Government Areas across the state, prompting the government to classify the school closure as a preventive measure rather than an emergency response. The directive applies uniformly to all educational institutions, including schools that had already resumed classes for the new academic session.

Parents and guardians have been instructed to keep pupils and students at home, while staff members are also affected by the suspension. The government stated that the closure aims to protect the health and safety of the broader school population pending further developments in the containment effort.

Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection, spreads primarily through respiratory droplets. The Plateau State Government has indicated it is intensifying efforts to manage the outbreak, though specific details about vaccination campaigns or isolation protocols were not disclosed in official statements.

The closure remains in effect indefinitely, with no fixed date announced for the resumption of academic activities.