The federal government has halted all academic activities in tertiary institutions and federal government colleges across the country.

The move by federal government is the latest to check the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Permanent secretary of the ministry of education, Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Thursday.

“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,” he said in a statement.

The federal government has also enjoined the principals of unity colleges nationwide to shut down.

“The management of all the Unity Colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitisers, and handwashing facilities among others, adding that students should strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene,” Ben Goong, director of press in the ministry of education, said in a statement.

He also advised principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities, emphasising that “nothing should be taken for granted at this delicate time of the global pandemic”.