Amidst Rising Coronavirus Cases, Nigeria Confirms January 18 School Resumption Date

The Nigerian government stated that all schools must apply COVID-19 safety protocols. The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the schools are going to open on January 18 despite the rising cases of coronavirus within the country.

A total of 23 people died of the virus on Thursday, the highest ever recorded daily, with almost 1,500 new cases recorded. 

The statement released on Thursday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Goong, stated that the Ministry had undertaken a thorough evaluation of the situation before drawing that conclusion. 

“After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including State Governors, Commissioners of Education, Proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students, the consensus of opinion is that the resumption date of 18th January should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols,” he said. 

He said that the procedures involved include compulsory wearing of face masks by all students, teachers and staff in all schools, temperature checks and handwashing facilities at strategic locations in all schools. 

“Ensuring a constant supply of water and sanitisers, enforcement of maintenance of social distancing and suspension of large gatherings such as assembly and visiting days, avoiding overcrowding, including limitations in class sizes and hostel occupancy,” he said. 

According to Mr Goong, other protocols include the provision of usable health clinics with isolation facilities and the transportation of suspicious cases to medical facilities. 

The protocols also provide compliance with all other non-pharmaceutical protocols, limitations and containment measures as may be prescribed/approved by the PTF from time to time. 

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) ordered schools to remain closed until 18 January 2020. 

Minister of Education Adamu Adamu said, “When we decided on that date, it was just a target toward what we are working on.” 

Although many universities have declared their resumption dates, Biodun Ogunyemi, National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said that the schools are not ready because they lack the capacity to ensure the safety of all those involved with COVID-19. 

The number of active cases of COVID-19 has increased over the last few weeks, with growing deaths, a situation that has become a problem for the government and the public. 

Nigeria has yet to obtain any vaccine against the virus, and experts have continued to warn Nigerians to stick strictly to the safety protocols outlined earlier by the WHO and NCDC to limit its spread.

Data source: Premium Time