He called on citizens to adopt preventive measures such as regular handwashing.
The NCDC said cases fell from 11 in week 29 to three in week 30, recorded in Edo and Ondo states.
Despite intensified efforts, the NCDC said that several persistent challenges remained.
The symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to previous COVID-19 variants and may include sore throat, cough, fever, and fatigue.
Mr Ojeifo disclosed in an interview with journalists in Benin on Monday that the two deaths were from the six confirmed cases of diphtheria recorded during the same period.
“Twenty-five states recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 local government areas in 2024.’’
The NPHCDA boss spoke after inspecting the diphtheria treatment centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano.
The WHO emergency manager for the three states, Beatrice Muraguri, urged the media to intensify public awareness on preventive measures against diphtheria.
The deaths were between December 2022 and early January 2023. They were recorded from Lagos, Kano, Yobe and Osun States.
