Plateau Shuts All Schools Indefinitely as Suspected Diphtheria Outbreak Spreads to Four LGAs

Plateau State Government has directed the immediate closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following reports of suspected diphtheria cases in four local government areas.

The closure, which takes effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, is part of emergency measures aimed at preventing the possible spread of the disease among schoolchildren and education workers.

The affected local government areas are Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase, where suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported.

Announcing the decision in a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the state government took the precautionary step to safeguard pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel.

She explained that all schools that had already resumed academic activities must suspend operations from Monday and remain closed until further notice.

The government also directed school owners, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the directive by keeping children at home throughout the period of the closure.

According to the statement, the temporary shutdown is intended to protect the health and wellbeing of pupils, students, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff while authorities continue to monitor the situation.

The state government appealed to residents and education stakeholders to support the measure, assuring the public that it was acting in the best interest of the people.

It added that a new date for the resumption of academic activities would be announced once health authorities determine that it is safe for schools to reopen.

With the directive, academic activities have been suspended indefinitely in all public and private primary and secondary schools across Plateau State pending further government directives.