At least 11 people have reportedly died following an outbreak of diphtheria in Niger State.
According to the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, 17 deaths have been recorded from 124 confirmed cases between January and early August 2026.
The latest deaths occurred in Chanchaga and Katcha Local Government Areas, with health officials reporting that 10 people infected in the two areas died. Another patient reportedly died at the General Hospital in Minna on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, 74 patients have been successfully treated and discharged from treatment centres in Bida and Agaie, while surveillance activities are ongoing in Suleja Local Government Area.
The Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, attributed the high death rate partly to parents and guardians who have failed to vaccinate their children.
Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop in Minna organised by the agency in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Inuwa urged parents to prioritise childhood immunisation.
He stressed that stronger community involvement was needed to prevent the spread of diseases and encouraged nursing mothers to ensure their children receive the recommended vaccines.
The UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist at its Kaduna Field Office, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the training was aimed at strengthening community structures to provide better health, water and sanitation, nutrition, child protection and education services.
He added that an integrated approach to healthcare delivery was necessary to improve the wellbeing of communities.
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