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Zamfara Extends School Resumption By Two Weeks Over Diphtheria Outbreak

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The Zamfara State Government has extended the resumption of all public and private schools in the state by two weeks following the ongoing diphtheria outbreak….

The Zamfara State Government has extended the resumption of all public and private schools in the state by two weeks following the ongoing diphtheria outbreak.

The new resumption date is Monday, September 28, 2026, subject to confirmation with the approved academic calendar. The decision followed a health advisory on the prevailing diphtheria situation.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, said the extension was necessary to protect pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community.

He said the additional two weeks would allow health and education authorities to strengthen disease surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination verification, public sensitisation and other preventive measures before schools reopen.

All school proprietors, heads of schools and management boards have been directed to comply with the extension.

The government also urged schools to use the period to thoroughly clean and decontaminate their premises and ensure adequate hand-washing facilities are available.

Parents and guardians were advised to cooperate with health authorities on vaccination, screening and other recommended measures to prevent the spread of diphtheria.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said it would continue to work with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure a safe learning environment.

The decision comes amid a worsening diphtheria outbreak in the state. Earlier reports put the death toll at 39, with 261 suspected cases recorded across 10 local government areas.

However, more recent health figures indicate that the outbreak has since risen to 44 deaths and 367 cases, according to reports from the state’s rapid response team.

The state government appealed to parents, teachers, school proprietors, traditional institutions, local government councils and other education stakeholders to support the preventive measures as authorities work to contain the outbreak.

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