The Kano State Government has ruled out shutting schools or postponing the resumption of academic activities despite the ongoing outbreak of diphtheria in the state.

The government said the prevailing situation does not warrant keeping pupils and students away from school, stressing that schools would reopen as scheduled.

The spokesperson for the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilus Kofar-Naisa, disclosed this while urging parents to remain vigilant and promptly seek medical attention for children showing symptoms of the infectious disease.

Kofar-Naisa said Kano’s decision differed from that of some neighbouring states, including Plateau, which opted to suspend school activities as a precautionary measure following suspected cases of diphtheria.

He advised parents to closely monitor their children and ensure that anyone exhibiting symptoms of the disease was taken immediately to a health facility for proper assessment and treatment.

“Children showing symptoms should not be allowed to mix with others until they have received appropriate medical attention,” he said.

The ministry spokesperson explained that the state government’s decision was based on its assessment of the prevailing situation and the rate of diphtheria infections recorded in Kano.

He nevertheless urged parents to take necessary precautions, stressing that early medical intervention remained critical in managing suspected cases and preventing further transmission.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has taken a different approach, ordering the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state over suspected diphtheria cases.

The closure, which takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, will remain in force until further notice.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap.

The government said suspected cases had been reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.

It directed schools that had already resumed academic activities to shut down from Monday, while proprietors, administrators and teachers were ordered to comply with the directive.

Parents and guardians were also advised to keep pupils and students at home throughout the period of the closure.

The Plateau Government said the measure was preventive, aimed at protecting pupils, students and school staff from the potential spread of the disease.

It added that further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public in due course.