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NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria Now over 1,300 As Vaccination Gaps Persist

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Nationwide Diphtheria Vaccination

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria Now over 1,300 As Vaccination Gaps Persist

NCDC reveals that diphtheria now over 1,300 as vaccination gaps persist. The NCDC says Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said 1,319 deaths have been recorded in the country’s ongoing diphtheria outbreak.

The NCDC said this in its latest situation report from the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) published on Sunday via its official website.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae.

It typically affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, where the bacterium produces a toxin that can lead to complications such as breathing difficulties, heart failure or nerve damage.
Vaccination is the primary means of prevention, and early treatment with antitoxins and antibiotics is crucial for managing the disease.

The NCDC said that over 42,000 suspected cases had been reported across 37 states since 2022.

“The report covered Epidemiological Week 10 of 2025. It highlighted persistent challenges in tackling the disease, including low vaccination coverage, inadequate laboratory capacity and delayed case confirmation,” it said.

According to the NCDC, Kano State accounts for 75 per cent of confirmed cases, with 18,108 out of 25,812. Other high-burden states include Bauchi (2,334), Yobe (2,408) and Katsina (1,501).

The public health agency said that the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 5.1 per cent, meaning one in every 20 confirmed cases results in death.

“In some states, the mortality rate is even higher. Kaduna recorded the per cent, Plateau has 48 per cent, Lagos has 83 per cent and Adamawa has 80 per cent,” it said.

In the latest reporting week, the agency said that 23 new suspected cases were reported – 20 in Lagos and three in Katsina. It, however, said that none has been confirmed yet, with 56.5 per cent of cases still unclassified due to delays in laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC said the Federal Government had launched reactive vaccination campaigns in high-burden states and intensified community engagement with traditional and religious leaders.

Public health experts have warned that late diagnosis and poor access to treatment may be contributing to the high fatality rates.

Despite Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), the report revealed that only 4,981 (19.3 per cent) of confirmed cases were fully vaccinated with a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
According to a virologist, Dr Solomon Chollom, the numbers indicate a critical gap in routine immunisation coverage, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Mr Chollom emphasised the need for urgent mass vaccination campaigns, particularly targeting children aged one year to 14 years, who make up 62.9 per cent of confirmed cases.
He said that another alarming finding was Nigeria’s limited testing capacity.

“In 2024, all cases were confirmed based on clinical symptoms rather than laboratory testing, indicating shortages of reagents and PCR capacity for diphtheria diagnosis. This raises concerns about the actual burden of the disease. Without widespread testing, we could be underreporting or misdiagnosing cases,” he said.

The government promised to improve laboratory capacity and optimise protocols for PCR testing, but implementation has been slow.

Experts advised that there was a need for a nationwide diphtheria vaccination drive, improved disease surveillance and a steady supply of diagnostic materials.

With Nigeria facing one of its worst diphtheria outbreaks in decades, health officials warn that without improved vaccination and surveillance efforts the situation could worsen.

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria

NCDC Reveals That Diphtheria

The government has outlined certain steps to be taken. They include increasing case management support and data harmonisation across affected states and improving laboratory diagnosis through PCR testing on clinical samples.

Others are expanding vaccination coverage to close immunity gaps, particularly among children and strengthening public awareness campaigns through social media and community engagement.

Public health experts say preventive vaccination remains the best defence for now, urging parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunisations.

Economy

Strike: NASU Gives WAEC 7-Day Ultimatum

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NASU Gives WAEC 7-Day

Strike: NASU Gives WAEC 7-Day Ultimatum

Strike: NASU gives WAEC 7-day ultimatum. The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) management to address a four-point demand related to workers’ welfare and alleged victimization of labor leaders.

NASU Gives WAEC 7-Day

NASU Gives WAEC 7-Day

 

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, warned that all WAEC offices across the country would be shut down from Monday, March 24, if the demands are not met.

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Economy

Akwa Ibom LG Chairman Sets To Report Construction Company For Poor Performance

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Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom LG Chairman Sets To Report Construction Company For Poor Performance

Akwa Ibom LG Chairman sets to report construction company for poor performance. Ikot Ekpene Chairman, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom, has threatened to send digital copies of the Ikot Ekpene – Aba road one-lane construction to Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, despite allegedly underperforming as a council chairman in recent months.

Nkom, whose achievements have been limited to painting the old Ikot Ekpene council secretariat, grading truck parks, and providing limited educational support JAMB forms, made this announcement during a peaceful demonstration by students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.

The students were protesting persistent brutality and harassment by officers from the Nigerian Police Force, Ikot Ekpene Division, and QIU, Ikot Ekpene Division.

The council chairman accused the construction company, Messrs CGGC Global Projects Nigeria Limited, of building a one-lane carriage instead of the approved dualized road, referencing Contract No.6569 and Project Code ERGP12141436 under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, awarded in 2019.

Nkom stated, “For those of us from Ikot Ekpene, you have seen this road. For those coming from Aba, you can see where they stopped the dual carriage.

Now, they are constructing a single lane to Ikot Ekpene. This is what we are talking about when we mention injustice.”

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom

He further mentioned his intention to document the road’s condition with NTA and send the footage to the Senate President, calling the situation a serious embarrassment to Akwa Ibom State.

Addressing the issue of police brutality against Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic students, Nkom asserted that any policeman or army officer who harasses a student without any offense will face consequences, urging students to always carry their identity cards.

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Economy

PenOp Vows To Comply With PenCom’s 3-Day Pension Payment Directive

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PenOp Vows To Comply

PenOp Vows To Comply With PenCom’s 3-Day Pension Payment Directive

PenOp vows to comply with PenCom’s 3-day pension payment directive. The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has assured the National Pension Commission (PenCom) that its members will comply with the recent directive to settle all pension benefits within three working days.

The National Pension Commission has mandated Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and fund custodians to approve and pay pension benefits to eligible applicants within three working days of receiving complete applications.

Oguche Agudah, chief executive officer of PenOp, speaking in Lagos, said that the directive was positive and could foster accountability.

Mr Agudah said PenOp members were fully aligned with PenCom’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the pension system in Nigeria.

He said, “This is a good development for pensioners, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the entire system.

PenOp Vows To Comply

PenOp Vows To Comply

“PFAs are going to comply with this new directive, which is set to begin in June. We will ensure service levels are maintained, and we will also ensure people get their money as and when due.

“We recognise the importance of timely payment of pension benefits to retirees, and we are committed to working with PenCom to achieve this goal.”

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