Schools to reopen in Nigeria’s Lagos as cases decline

Schools will reopen in Nigeria’s commercial hub of Lagos next month as part of plans to revive the economy as COVID-19 cases decline, the state governor said.

Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria, plans to reopen colleges on September 14, and primary and secondary school schools on September 21, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said.

“The gradual easing doesn’t mean the pandemic is over,” he said in a tweet. “It is not an invitation to carelessness or nonchalance.”

Following the progress we have made in the management of #COVID19 and in line with our desire to gradually open the economy and critical sectors, today I announced that tertiary institutions will re-open from September 14th 2020. pic.twitter.com/QxDcHLUUoM

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) August 29, 2020

The Lagos governor said restaurants, social clubs and recreational centers would also be allowed to reopen as long as they followed safety rules.

Nigeria has reported 53,727 infections in total – including 18,104 in Lagos – and 1,011 deaths.