From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
The Plateau State Government has directed the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state as part of measures to prevent the spread of diphtheria.
The directive takes effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, and applies to schools that have already resumed academic activities.
The state government said the decision was a precautionary measure following suspected cases of diphtheria reported in some parts of the state, particularly Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.
In a statement issued on Saturday, September 5, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni, said all affected schools are to remain closed until further notice.
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The government directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply fully with the directive and ensure that pupils and students remain at home throughout the period.
According to the statement, the measure is aimed at safeguarding the health and wellbeing of pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff while efforts continue to contain the suspected outbreak.
The government appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the directive, stressing that the decision was taken in the best interest of the people of Plateau State.
It added that further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public in due course.