The Kwara government says it would be shutting down schools in the state as a measure towards curtailing the spread of the coronavirus.
Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesperson to the the state governor, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the closure would take effect from March 23.
Ajakaye urged the public not to panic, adding that further details as regards the shutdown would be issued by the government.
“I can confirm that Kwara State will be shutting down schools from Monday, March 23rd. It is part of the efforts to contain the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“We urge our people to maintain the highest level of hygiene, remain calm, and adhere to all safety measures announced by the state ministry of health and other national bodies.”
Governors in the northwest region of the country have also shut down schools for 30 days amid the outbreak of coronavirus.
Nigeria now has eight confirmed cases of the virus but none has been recorded in the north.
Over 27 countries in Africa have recorded cases of coronavirus with some nations enforcing travel restrictions to check the spread of the disease in their territories.
The number of recorded cases globally is now over 200,000.