Education
Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak
Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak
Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have expressed deep concern following reports of a suspected diphtheria outbreak that resulted in some students being hospitalized.
Speaking on Sunday, several parents attributed the situation to the school’s poor sanitation conditions, raising questions about the management’s handling of the incident.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the school authorities for their lack of immediate action and limited communication about the outbreak.
The parent said, “If there are no cases, why are the students mandated to wear nose masks and some of them taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment? There were cases late last year.
“We heard that officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) were in the school yesterday (March 8), to sensitise the students on preventive measures against diphtheria disease. Why is the school secretive about the issue?
“Parents had complained several times about the poor environmental sanitation of the school and toilets, including food given to the students. Students even complain about some members of the food committee and what they do.
“A few weeks ago, some parents raised concerns that their children had fallen sick and were diagnosed with diphtheria at the hospital. Even, some PTA Exco don’t like parents to openly complain about such.
“Last week, the school sent a message to parents to sign a consent form that would enable their children to receive diphtheria vaccines in the school premises.”
A copy of the consent indicated that the routine immunisation was organized by the school in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through Eti-Osa Local Government.
Another parent voiced frustration about the state of the school clinic, emphasizing the need for a regular medical doctor to ensure better healthcare services.
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Two parents confirmed that their children had been hospitalized in December with diphtheria.
“It was by GOD’S grace that my son survived. I was called to pick him up. He complained of sore throat. His neck was swollen and he had high fever. When we got to the hospital, he was on admission for over a week.
“In fact, there was another student who was hospitalised for same ailment the same time, but he didn’t pull through,” one of the parents said, calling for more stringent preventive measures and ongoing health education for students.
“These are still children, most of them restless and full of play. They need constant supervision especially in their toilet, washing and also eating and recreational habits.”
A relative of a student who was taken to LUTH on Saturday shared her distress:
“Let’s keep praying for the children. My sister is panicking and distraught especially since she heard a student died from the disease in December. I believe that all will be well.
“However, the Federal Government and schools management should look more into improving the standards of KCL and indeed all unity schools. The PTA should work to better the lot of schools and students and not cover up things that aren’t right. These schools are very good and should not be allowed to continuously fall below standards all round.”
In response, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna, Public Relations Officer of the King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that measures were being taken to contain the situation.
Ogbonna stated in a message titled, “Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College”:
“As part of their efforts, the management and PTA EXCO met and contacted the relevant government health agencies, who, in collaboration, advised that booster doses of vaccines should be administered to the students.
“However, some of the students who manifested symptoms have been isolated, taken to LUTH for diagnosis and results awaited. Other students who manifest symptoms subsequently would be taken to LUTH accordingly, and parents contacted for follow-up.
“Delegates of the World Health Organisation visited the Annex Campus this evening to play their own role in controlling the situation.
“On this note, we, therefore, implore parents to remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control. We shall overcome,” Ogbonna said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria that spread through respiratory droplets. The disease can damage the respiratory tract and spread to other parts of the body, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands.
WHO emphasized that while diphtheria can affect anyone, unvaccinated children are most at risk. The agency also highlighted that overcrowded living conditions can increase the spread of infection, but early treatment significantly reduces the risk of severe complications or death.
Preventive measures include vaccination, with WHO recommending six doses of a diphtheria-containing vaccine from infancy through adolescence for long-term protection.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that 41,336 suspected cases of diphtheria were recorded across 37 states between 2022 and early 2025, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge.
Parents are now calling for urgent improvements to infrastructure, water supply, and sanitation facilities at the college, alongside efforts to enhance teaching quality and staff attitudes to ensure the well-being of students in King’s College and other unity schools nationwide.
Panic at King’s College Lagos over diphtheria outbreak
Education
WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates
WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) timetable for school candidates across its member countries. The final international schedule, shared on WAEC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, provides students with a clear roadmap for exam preparation, ensuring they can plan their revision and practical work effectively.
According to the timetable, the 2026 WASSCE will commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and conclude on Friday, June 19, 2026, spanning nearly nine weeks of examinations. The exams will kick off with Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical) Planning Session and Home Management 3 (Practical) Planning Session, marking the start of both practical and theory assessments.
The timetable covers core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which are compulsory for all candidates, as well as a broad range of elective papers in sciences, arts, humanities, vocational, and technical subjects. Key science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while elective options span Economics, Government, Geography, Metalwork, and Applied Technology.
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WAEC advised all candidates to carefully check the timetable, confirm their exam dates with school authorities, and ensure they arrive at examination centres fully equipped with approved materials. The council also encouraged students to use the timetable to avoid subject clashes, prepare for both written and practical assessments, and manage study time efficiently.
The WASSCE is a crucial qualification for secondary school students in English-speaking West Africa, serving as the gateway for university and tertiary institution admissions. The exam is conducted annually in WAEC member countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, and is recognised as a key academic milestone in the region.
With the release of the 2026 timetable, students, parents, and school authorities now have a complete guide to plan study schedules, revision sessions, and exam strategies, helping ensure candidates are well-prepared to succeed.
WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates
Education
WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure
WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, marking another milestone in its transition to digital assessment.
The examination body announced on Friday that candidates who participated in the first series of the computer-based examination can now access their results, with full access expected to be activated within hours of the release.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, WAEC noted that the adoption of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format has significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of result processing, eliminating many of the delays traditionally associated with manual marking systems.
Improved Performance Recorded
A preliminary analysis of the results indicates a modest improvement in candidates’ overall performance. According to data released by the council, about 32.72 per cent of candidates obtained a minimum of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, a key benchmark for academic and career advancement in Nigeria.
WAEC attributed the improvement to increased candidate preparedness, improved examination administration, and the deployment of technology-driven assessment methods.
Malpractice Cases Under Review
Despite the gains recorded, the council disclosed that a number of results have been withheld due to allegations of examination malpractice. WAEC stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate actions would be taken upon conclusion of the review process.
The council reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its examinations, warning candidates and stakeholders against engaging in any form of malpractice.
Transition to Digital Examinations
The release of the 2026 CB-WASSCE results underscores WAEC’s broader strategy to modernize its examination system through the adoption of digital technology. The move is expected to improve transparency, reduce human error, and enhance the overall efficiency of the examination process across member countries.
How to Check WAEC Results
WAEC has provided a straightforward process for candidates to access their results online. Candidates are advised to follow the steps below:
- Visit the official WAEC result-checking portal at www.waecdirect.org
- Enter your Examination Number in the required field
- Select the Examination Year (2026)
- Choose the appropriate Examination Type (Private Candidate – First Series)
- Enter the Card Serial Number found on your scratch card
- Input the PIN on the scratch card
- Click on “Submit” to view your result
Candidates who encounter delays are advised to remain patient, as access may be staggered due to high traffic on the portal.
WAEC further urged candidates to keep their result-checking details secure and avoid sharing sensitive information with unauthorized persons to prevent fraud.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to continuous innovation in examination delivery, assuring stakeholders that the transition to computer-based testing will further strengthen the credibility of its certificates across the globe.
WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure
Education
NYSC Debunks ‘Ransom Clause’ Rumour, Details Security Measures for Corps Members
NYSC Debunks ‘Ransom Clause’ Rumour, Details Security Measures for Corps Members
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that the scheme operates a “ransom clause” and exposes corps members to banditry, insisting that no such provision exists in its legal or operational framework.
The clarification comes amid rising concerns from families over the safety of corps members, especially those deployed to areas considered high-risk. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NYSC, through its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, described the claim as misleading and alarmist.
According to the scheme, the widely circulated write-up titled “Urgent: The NYSC Death Trap Our Graduates Are Being Sold to Bandits” is entirely unfounded. It stressed that there is no mention of any “ransom clause” in the NYSC Act, bye-laws, or official publications, urging the public to disregard the report.
The NYSC also addressed the case of Musa Usman Abba, which contributed to the controversy. The scheme clarified that Abba is not a serving corps member, noting that he completed his national service in 2023. While expressing sympathy with him and his family over the reported incident, the NYSC emphasized the importance of accurate information to avoid unnecessary panic.
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Reaffirming its commitment to corps members’ safety, the NYSC stated that it continues to work closely with security agencies across the country. It noted that corps members posted to vulnerable areas are provided with enhanced protection, including military escorts. This arrangement, according to the scheme, has been consistently implemented in the North West since 2024 and earlier in parts of the North East.
The scheme further highlighted that it has relocated orientation camps from volatile locations to safer areas in states such as Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Gombe, and Plateau, as part of proactive measures to safeguard both corps members and camp officials.
On welfare, the NYSC explained that all corps members are covered by a life insurance policy through Capital Express Assurance Limited, which extends up to three weeks after service completion. In addition, corps members are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure access to healthcare throughout their service year.
The NYSC reiterated that it places the highest priority on the welfare, safety, and well-being of corps members and staff. It warned that the spread of misinformation, particularly on social media, could heighten anxiety and undermine public confidence in national institutions.
Established in 1973, the NYSC programme was designed to promote national unity and integration by deploying Nigerian graduates to serve in states outside their regions of origin. Despite ongoing security challenges in some parts of the country, the scheme said it has continued to strengthen its safety protocols through strategic deployments, camp relocations, and collaboration with security agencies.
The agency maintained that while concerns about security are valid, false narratives about NYSC and banditry only worsen public fear and misrepresent the efforts being made to protect corps members nationwide.
NYSC Debunks ‘Ransom Clause’ Rumour, Details Security Measures for Corps Members
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