Coronavirus: FG orders nationwide shutdown of tertiary institutions, unity schools

The Federal Government on Thursday ordered nationwide closure of tertiary institutions and unity schools across the country to contain the spread of coronavirus. 

This comes after Nigeria recorded for new cases, making it a total of 12 confirmed cases of the killer virus Nigeria. 

Disclosing this in a statement, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, said the directive is expected to take effect this weekend.

Echono said: “We have directed all higher institutions to close this weekend. Unity Schools that have completed their exams are to close immediately. Others are to hurry and close the latest on 26th March.”

In another statement issued by Director of Press in the Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, said the schools would be shut down until further notice.

The statement read: “The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all the 104 Unity Schools in the country on the 26th of March, 2020 as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus.

“Giving the order today through the Permanent Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, said all the Principals of the Unity Colleges should fast track the on-going second term examinations and close shop until further notice.

“In the meantime, the Minister said the management of all the Unity Colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol based sanitizers, and hand washing facilities among others, adding that students should strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene.”

This comes on the heels of other measures taken by the federal government to combat widespread of the pandemic.