Background of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria
The
first confirmed case of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 in Nigeria was
announced on 27 February 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive
for the virus, caused by SARS-CoV-2. On 9 March 2020, a second case of the
virus was reported in Ewekoro, Ogun State, a Nigerian citizen who had contact
with the Italian citizen
On 28 January 2020, the Federal government of
Nigeria assured citizens of the country of its readiness to strengthen
surveillance at five international airports in the country to prevent the
spread of coronavirus. The government announced the airports as Enugu, Lagos, Rivers,
Kano and the FCT. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control also announced same
day that they had already set up coronavirus group and was ready to activate
its incident system if any case emerged in Nigeria.
On 31 January 2020, following the developments of
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China and other countries worldwide, the federal
government of Nigeria set up a Coronavirus Preparedness Group to mitigate the
impact of the virus if it eventually spreads to the country. On the same day,
the World Health Organization listed Nigeria among other 13 African countries
identified as high-risk for the spread of the virus.
On 26 February 2020, a Chinese citizen presented
himself to the Lagos State government on suspicion of being infected with
coronavirus. He was admitted at Reddington Hospital and was released the
following day after testing negative.
Reactions
Early
March, the minister of health in Nigeria, Osagie Ehanire, announced that 60
persons who had contact with the index Italian patient were under isolation, 40
persons in Ogun State and 20 in Lagos State.
On
1 March, four Chinese citizens were quarantined in Plateau State, they all
tested negative the following day.
On
3 March, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that two
foreign Nationals from an unnamed Asian country has tested negative to the
virus.
On
6 March, the Anambra State government announced that five Chinese citizens
tested negative for the virus. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported
that a total of 219 primary and secondary contacts of the index case had been
identified and were being actively monitored.
On
9 March, the President Muhammadu Buhari established a Presidential Task Force
for the control of the virus in the country.
On
10 March, Turkish Airlines cancelled all their flights to Nigeria due to the
virus outbreak.
On
15 March, a woman in Enugu State displayed the symptoms of coronavirus, she
tested negative the following day.
On
17 March 2020, Nigeria postponed the 20th national sports festival that was
supposed to hold in Benin City, Edo State from 22 March to 1 April.
On
18 March, the management of the National Youth Service Corps suspended the 2020
Batch A stream one 21 days orientation exercise indefinitely. The orientation
exercise commenced on 10 March and was expected to end on 30 March, before it
was suspended after just 8 days. Later the same day, Nigeria placed a travel
ban on 13 countries with high cases of the virus, the countries are; United
States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, China,
Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Japan and Iran. In Katsina State, a Nigerian citizen
that returned from Malaysia displayed the symptoms of the virus, he tested
negative the following day. Kano State government confirmed that three persons
tested negative for the virus in the state. Lagos State government banned
religious gatherings of over 50 worshippers for 30 days, Ogun State also banned
any gathering of more than 50 people for 30 days. The New Afrika Shrine
suspended all their programmes indefinitely. Kwara State and Lagos State
announced the indefinite closure of their public and private schools, while Zamfara
State, Sokoto State, Katsina State, Niger State, Kano State, Jigawa State, Kebbi
State and Kaduna State also closed down their schools for 30 days from 23
March. The Nigeria Football Federation suspended all football activities for
four weeks.
On
19 March, Anambra State government announced the closure of their schools and
suspension of public gatherings indefinitely, tertiary institutions to close
from 20 March, while primary and secondary schools to close from 27 March. Ogun
State government extended an earlier ban to schools and religious centres in
the state indefinitely. Federal government announced the closure of tertiary
institutions, secondary and primary schools. Enugu State government also
ordered the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state from 27
March.
On
20 March, Nigeria extended their travel ban to two more countries, Sweden and Austria.
Ekiti State government banned social, political, religious and family
gatherings of more than 20 persons. The state also ordered the closure of all
their schools from 23 March. Nigeria announced the closure of their
international airports, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kano airports from 21 March.
Rivers State government also announced the closure of all their schools and
directed the restriction of all religious activities. Osun State government
banned any public gatherings of more than 50 persons in the state with
immediate effect, including schools, churches and mosques. Delta State
government announced the closure of all their schools from 26 March.
On
21 March, Nasarawa State government confirmed that five persons tested negative
for the virus in the state. Kebbi State government announced the indefinite
closure of all their primary and secondary schools.
The Nigerian Railway
Corporation also announced the suspension of all passenger services from 23
March. Lagos State government reduced the number of people allowed in any
religious or social gathering from 50 to 20. Nigeria announced the closure of
the remaining two international airports, Abuja and Lagos, from 23 March. Osun
State reviewed their previous ban on public gatherings of more than 50 persons
and changed it to a complete ban, enforcing it on all public gatherings in the
state under any banner or organisation. Oyo State government ordered the
closure of schools in the state. Bayelsa State government also ordered the
closure of all schools in the state from 26 March and restriction of all public
gatherings above 50 persons. Imo State government also announced the indefinite
closure of all schools in their state with immediate effect.
On
22 March, Edo State government announced the closure of all their schools from
23 March.
On
23 March, Ebonyi State government banned all public gatherings in the state,
including weddings, seminars, conferences, burials and any other large
gatherings. Niger State government announced a shut down in the state,
restricting movement from 8am to 8pm everyday, from 25 March. Kano State
government suspended all gatherings in the state indefinitely. Rivers State
government announced a partial lockdown in their state, closing cinemas, nights
clubs, public parks, weddings, burials and religious worship centres from 24
March. Edo State announced an indefinite ban of any gathering of more than 50
people. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad ordered all courts in
Nigeria to shut down from 24 March. Nigeria ordered the closure of all land
borders for four weeks and the suspension of Federal Executive Council, (FEC)
meetings indefinitely. Anambra State government banned all public gatherings in
the state with more than 30 persons, including weddings, festivals, funerals
and clubs. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced suspension
of all their activities for fourteen days. Ondo State government banned all
political, religious and social gatherings in the state for fourteen days. Oyo
State government also banned all social gatherings in the state with more than
30 persons, including religious services, parties, burials and weddings.
On
24 March, Yobe State government announced the closure of all their schools from
26 March. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board suspended all their
activities for two weeks. The Nigerian Senate adjourned plenary to 7 April,
while the Nigerian House of Representatives adjourned indefinitely. Edo State
government reduced the number of people allowed in any public gathering from 50
to 20, closing markets in the state and allowing only sellers of food items,
medicines and other vital commodities to operate. Kaduna State government
confirmed that three suspected persons tested negative for the virus in the
state. Nasarawa State government ordered the indefinite closure of all their
schools with immediate effect. Osun state government banned weekly markets
indefinitely in the state. Lagos State government ordered the closure of stores
and markets in the state from 26 March, allowing only sellers of food items,
medicines, water and other essential commodities to operate. The National
Examination Council announced an indefinite postponement of the 2020 common
entrance examination into 104 Unity schools in Nigeria, which was supposed to
hold on 28 March. Enugu State government banned all social and political
gatherings in the state. Actors Guild of Nigeria banned movie sets across
Nigeria. Delta State government banned all social gatherings of up to 20
persons, including burials, crusades and ordered the closure of clubs and
cinemas with immediate effect. Ondo State government ordered the immediate
closure of all markets, shops and malls in the state for seven days. The
government also banned clubs, beer parlours and joints, except places where
food, water and medicals are sold. Federal Capital Territory Administration
ordered the immediate closure of shops in the markets and neighbourhood
centres, except those selling food items, medicines and other essential commodities
in the FCT. They also ordered the immediate closure of churches and mosques.
On
25 March, Rivers State government announced an indefinite closure of their sea,
air and land borders into and out of the state with effect from 26 March 2020. Kogi
State government also announced an indefinite closure of their sea and land
borders, suspending the activities of commercial motorcycle in the state with
effect from 26 March. They also reduced the number of persons in any public gathering
to 5. Ekiti State government banned the operations of markets in the state with
the exception of those selling essential commodities like food items, water,
medicine and medical equipments. Kwara State government ordered the ban of
commercial transportation, closure of all mosques and churches and markets with
exception of markets selling drugs, food items and other essential commodities.
Kano State also announced an indefinite closure of their air and land borders
into and out of the state with effect from 27 March 2020. Bauchi State
government also announced the closure of markets in the state from 26 March
with the exception of those selling essential commodities like food items and
medicine. Abia State government banned burial and wedding ceremonies of more
than 30 guests. The state also banned religious activities of more than 50
persons for 30 days. Imo State government ordered the indefinite closure of
major markets in the state with effect from 28 March. The government also
closed its land borders, allowing entry upon screening. Delta State government
announced the closure of their borders into and out of their state for two
weeks in the first instance. The government announced the closure of Asaba
airport with effect from 27 March; land borders with effect from 29 March;
malls, supermarkets, markets and shops with effect from 1 April, ordering food
sellers to conduct their businesses within the precinct of their homes. The
government also directed all residents to stay at home with effect from 1
April. The government announced that the restrictions doesn't apply to
providers of essential services like; security healthcare, directing pharmacies
to remain open, water services, fire services, power services, essential
departments of media houses and telecommunications companies.
On
26 March, Ebonyi State government announced the closure of their state borders
from 28 March, allowing only vehicles carrying food items, construction
materials, medical supplies and patients going for treatment. Federal
government ordered the immediate closure of international airports and land
borders in the country for a period of four weeks. Rivers State government
announced an indefinite closure of all markets in the state from 28 March.
Jigawa State government ordered the indefinite closure of their state borders
from 27 March. Akwa Ibom State government ordered the closure of their state
borders, except for the transportation of food items. The state government also
directed their workers to stay at home for a week starting from 30 March. The
government also announced that their state-owned airline, Ibom Air, would
suspend all its flight operations from 29 March. Kaduna State government placed
a dusk to dawn curfew on the state, ordering residents to stay in their homes
with immediate effect, except workers in essential services like; health
workers, the fire service and security personnel. The government also ordered the
closure of all businesses, offices and places of worship, banning wedding
events and all social gatherings. Sokoto State government announced the closure
of their state borders for two weeks from 27 March, with the exception of
vehicles transporting food and essential medical commodities. Federal Capital
Territory Administration restricted business and commercial activities in the
territory to 15 hours daily, starting from 9pm and ending 6am.
On
27 March, Oyo State government placed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state,
banning inter-state travel from and into the state, except vehicles carrying
food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products from 29 March, while
also reducing the number of people allowed in a social gathering from 30 to 10.
The state also announced that all markets will be closed except those selling
perishable food items from 29 March. Osun State government announced the
closure of their state borders from 28 March. The state government all
announced the closure of their major markets as well as shopping malls, with
the exception of pharmaceutical, foods and medical needs outlets. Katsina State
government announced the closure of their state borders from 28 March, allowing
only fuel takers and vehicles conveying food items and other essential
commodities, but with subject to screening and testing at the point of entry.
Enugu State government announced an indefinite closure of their state borders
and inter-state transportation in the state from 31 March, allowing only those
on medical emergency services. Nasarawa State government banned all social and
religious gatherings of more than 50 persons, including weddings, churches
services and mosque prayers with immediate effect. The state government also
announced the restriction of all movement into the state. Niger State
government banned the intra and inter-state movement of people and vehicles,
exempting only vehicles carrying food items, fuel, medical supplies and other
essential services. Zamfara State government announced the closure of their
state borders with effect from 28 March 2020. Bayelsa State government
announced an immediate closure of their sea and land borders into and out of
the state.
On
28 March, Anambra State government announced the closure of their 63 major
markets from 31 March, for a period of two weeks, allowing only food items and
medicine markets. Abia State government announced a four weeks closure of their
state borders and markets from 1 April, directing residents to stay at home and
allowing only food sellers to operate. Imo State government announced an
indefinite ban on all weddings, burial ceremonies and religious activities with
immediate effect. The state government also directed all civil and public
servants to stop work immediately, except those on approved essential services.
Ogun State government announced the closure of their state borders for two
weeks in the first instance from 29 March, allowing only vehicles conveying
personnel involved in essential services such as security agencies, health
workers, food, medical items and petroleum products. Cross River State
government banned all religious gatherings of more than five persons in the
state. Kebbi State government announced the restriction of all entries into and
out of the state with immediate effect. Taraba State government announced the
closure of their state borders with effect from 29 March, restricting movement
in and out of their state.
On
29 March, Ekiti State government placed a dusk to dawn curfew on the state,
closing the state borders and banning inter-state travel from and into the
state for fourteen days, except vehicles carrying food items, medical,
petroleum products and other essential goods from 30 March, while also ordering
residents to stay at home, except those on essential services. The government
also ordered the closure of all businesses, offices and places of worship.
Anambra State government announced the closure of River Niger Bridge with
immediate effect, allowing only vehicles transporting food items and medicines.
Federal government announced the locking down of Lagos State, Ogun State and
the FCT, for a period of two weeks from 11pm on 30 March, ordering the citizens
of the affected areas to stay in their homes, banning travel to or from other
states and announcing the shutdown of businesses and offices, exempting hospitals,
food processing, petroleum distribution, banks, power generation and private
security companies. The government also exempted workers in telecommunication
companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who couldn't work
from home. The federal government also suspended the movements of all passenger
aircraft all over the country, including commercial and private jets.
On
30 March, Adamawa State government announced the closure of their state borders
for fourteen days with effect from 31 March 2020, ordering a total lockdown in
the state. The state government also announced that the ban affects tricycle,
taxis and bus operators throughout the state. The state government also banned
social activities and ordered the closure of all markets, except food markets,
medicine markets and filling stations, directing banks to provided skeletal
services. The lockdown of Ogun State that was supposed to start from 30 March,
was shifted to commence from 3 April, after the state government made a request
to the federal government to allow them provide food for their residents.
On
31 March, Bauchi State government announced the closure of their state borders
for fourteen days with effect from 2 April, ordering a total lockdown in the
state and exempting essential services. Kwara State government announced an
indefinite closure of their state borders with immediate effect, exempting only
vehicles carrying agricultural produce, medical equipments, and officials on
essential duties. Delta State government reviewed the earlier closure of their
state borders and restriction of movement for their residents and announced the
exemption of those involved in the transportation of essential supplies such
as; food, water, petroleum products, pharmaceutical products and other
essential services, noting that banks were to remain open only for skeletal
services. Bayelsa State government also reviewed the earlier closure of their
state borders with the exemption of vehicles transporting food, drugs and the
vehicles conveying personnel on essential duty.
On
1 April, Taraba State government announced the banning of all public gatherings
of more than 20 persons in the state. The state government also ordered the
closure of all markets with immediate effect, except those providing essential
services such as; pharmacies, food stores and petrol service stations. Ondo
State government announced the closure of their state borders with effect from
2 April, prohibiting inter-state travels into the state.
