COVID-19 bulletin No. 303 – Nigeria

​8 March 2021

Important notice: This report was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This report is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection.

Statistics

Please consult the following sources for the most recent data:

Number of reported cases

Daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases per million people (seven day rolling average), as of 8 March 2021

Text Format
DateDaily new cases per million people
2020-03-040.001
2020-03-050.001
2020-03-060
2020-03-070
2020-03-080
2020-03-090.001
2020-03-100.001
2020-03-110.001
2020-03-120.001
2020-03-130.001
2020-03-140.001
2020-03-150.001
2020-03-160
2020-03-170.001
2020-03-180.004
2020-03-190.004
2020-03-200.007
2020-03-210.014
2020-03-220.019
2020-03-230.026
2020-03-240.028
2020-03-250.03
2020-03-260.04
2020-03-270.04
2020-03-280.046
2020-03-290.056
2020-03-300.063
2020-03-310.063
2020-04-010.085
2020-04-020.082
2020-04-030.097
2020-04-040.087
2020-04-050.084
2020-04-060.074
2020-04-070.082
2020-04-080.071
2020-04-090.072
2020-04-100.066
2020-04-110.072
2020-04-120.063
2020-04-130.073
2020-04-140.082
2020-04-150.091
2020-04-160.107
2020-04-170.13
2020-04-180.155
2020-04-190.211
2020-04-200.223
2020-04-210.202
2020-04-220.323
2020-04-230.374
2020-04-240.417
2020-04-250.444
2020-04-260.448
2020-04-270.466
2020-04-280.601
2020-04-290.593
2020-04-300.659
2020-05-010.745
2020-05-020.836
2020-05-030.891
2020-05-041.015
2020-05-050.983
2020-05-060.982
2020-05-071.105
2020-05-081.207
2020-05-091.222
2020-05-101.276
2020-05-111.274
2020-05-121.273
2020-05-131.265
2020-05-141.134
2020-05-151.066
2020-05-161.019
2020-05-171.081
2020-05-181.063
2020-05-191.119
2020-05-201.182
2020-05-211.285
2020-05-221.255
2020-05-231.32
2020-05-241.303
2020-05-251.312
2020-05-261.347
2020-05-271.425
2020-05-281.316
2020-05-291.414
2020-05-301.614
2020-05-311.61
2020-06-011.739
2020-06-021.715
2020-06-031.686
2020-06-041.803
2020-06-051.762
2020-06-061.648
2020-06-071.611
2020-06-081.541
2020-06-091.833
2020-06-101.876
2020-06-112.105
2020-06-122.313
2020-06-132.39
2020-06-142.494
2020-06-152.673
2020-06-162.553
2020-06-172.676
2020-06-182.721
2020-06-192.748
2020-06-202.859
2020-06-212.882
2020-06-222.953
2020-06-232.927
2020-06-242.97
2020-06-252.865
2020-06-262.877
2020-06-272.958
2020-06-282.996
2020-06-292.92
2020-06-302.996
2020-07-013.094
2020-07-023.116
2020-07-032.956
2020-07-042.834
2020-07-052.872
2020-07-062.878
2020-07-072.838
2020-07-082.609
2020-07-092.521
2020-07-102.605
2020-07-112.647
2020-07-122.666
2020-07-132.68
2020-07-142.652
2020-07-152.779
2020-07-162.846
2020-07-172.863
2020-07-182.855
2020-07-192.845
2020-07-202.822
2020-07-212.9
2020-07-222.831
2020-07-232.837
2020-07-242.831
2020-07-252.682
2020-07-262.681
2020-07-272.741
2020-07-282.774
2020-07-292.678
2020-07-302.593
2020-07-312.503
2020-08-012.467
2020-08-022.293
2020-08-032.044
2020-08-041.822
2020-08-051.859
2020-08-061.771
2020-08-071.757
2020-08-081.804
2020-08-091.896
2020-08-101.897
2020-08-111.98
2020-08-121.977
2020-08-131.99
2020-08-141.911
2020-08-151.823
2020-08-161.726
2020-08-171.814
2020-08-181.805
2020-08-191.902
2020-08-201.974
2020-08-211.981
2020-08-222.173
2020-08-232.189
2020-08-242.123
2020-08-252.013
2020-08-261.755
2020-08-271.631
2020-08-281.506
2020-08-291.263
2020-08-301.135
2020-08-311.012
2020-09-011.003
2020-09-020.999
2020-09-030.881
2020-09-040.877
2020-09-050.816
2020-09-060.79
2020-09-070.798
2020-09-080.838
2020-09-090.81
2020-09-100.86
2020-09-110.883
2020-09-120.882
2020-09-130.867
2020-09-140.851
2020-09-150.708
2020-09-160.674
2020-09-170.628
2020-09-180.651
2020-09-190.671
2020-09-200.683
2020-09-210.727
2020-09-220.787
2020-09-230.776
2020-09-240.772
2020-09-250.766
2020-09-260.73
2020-09-270.75
2020-09-280.709
2020-09-290.717
2020-09-300.779
2020-10-010.798
2020-10-020.738
2020-10-030.755
2020-10-040.708
2020-10-050.696
2020-10-060.649
2020-10-070.617
2020-10-080.582
2020-10-090.599
2020-10-100.565
2020-10-110.638
2020-10-120.669
2020-10-130.743
2020-10-140.76
2020-10-150.791
2020-10-160.833
2020-10-170.834
2020-10-180.814
2020-10-190.782
2020-10-200.676
2020-10-210.577
2020-10-220.57
2020-10-230.477
2020-10-240.432
2020-10-250.383
2020-10-260.383
2020-10-270.412
2020-10-280.488
2020-10-290.496
2020-10-300.561
2020-10-310.64
2020-11-010.674
2020-11-020.641
2020-11-030.658
2020-11-040.663
2020-11-050.684
2020-11-060.721
2020-11-070.649
2020-11-080.78
2020-11-090.796
2020-11-100.806
2020-11-110.823
2020-11-120.845
2020-11-130.799
2020-11-140.836
2020-11-150.733
2020-11-160.777
2020-11-170.777
2020-11-180.816
2020-11-190.77
2020-11-200.761
2020-11-210.854
2020-11-220.856
2020-11-230.786
2020-11-240.797
2020-11-250.771
2020-11-260.787
2020-11-270.858
2020-11-280.764
2020-11-290.713
2020-11-300.775
2020-12-010.853
2020-12-020.8
2020-12-030.921
2020-12-040.975
2020-12-051.114
2020-12-061.277
2020-12-071.447
2020-12-081.633
2020-12-091.877
2020-12-102.107
2020-12-112.435
2020-12-122.647
2020-12-132.717
2020-12-142.584
2020-12-152.728
2020-12-163.044
2020-12-173.37
2020-12-183.377
2020-12-193.587
2020-12-203.645
2020-12-213.753
2020-12-223.92
2020-12-234.061
2020-12-243.989
2020-12-253.974
2020-12-263.911
2020-12-274.144
2020-12-284.173
2020-12-293.999
2020-12-303.918
2020-12-313.911
2021-01-014.047
2021-01-023.872
2021-01-033.927
2021-01-044.532
2021-01-054.952
2021-01-065.401
2021-01-075.771
2021-01-086.162
2021-01-096.861
2021-01-106.935
2021-01-116.916
2021-01-126.858
2021-01-136.674
2021-01-146.614
2021-01-156.838
2021-01-166.847
2021-01-177.138
2021-01-187.397
2021-01-197.418
2021-01-207.41
2021-01-217.746
2021-01-227.48
2021-01-238.08
2021-01-247.747
2021-01-257.618
2021-01-267.619
2021-01-277.948
2021-01-287.186
2021-01-297.302
2021-01-306.899
2021-01-316.706
2021-02-016.183
2021-02-026.412
2021-02-035.911
2021-02-046.241
2021-02-056.223
2021-02-066.019
2021-02-075.895
2021-02-085.872
2021-02-095.471
2021-02-105.466
2021-02-115.188
2021-02-124.759
2021-02-134.451
2021-02-144.46
2021-02-154.53
2021-02-164.746
2021-02-174.706
2021-02-184.664
2021-02-194.426
2021-02-204.081
2021-02-214.082
2021-02-223.942
2021-02-233.39
2021-02-243.1
2021-02-252.931
2021-02-262.888
2021-02-272.678
2021-02-282.483
2021-03-012.357
2021-03-022.293
2021-03-032.161
2021-03-042.214
2021-03-052.055
2021-03-061.954
2021-03-071.974
2021-03-082.002
​

Data source: Our World in Data. 8 March 2021. "Daily New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases per Million People." [Accessed 9 Mar. 2021]

Breakdown by state/province/region

  • Information on the number of cases by province could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this bulletin.

Testing rate

The share of COVID-19 tests that are positive ("positive rate"*)

Text for​m​at
DatePositive Rate (%)
2020-04-159.1
2020-04-1610.7
2020-04-1710.8
2020-04-1811.1
2020-04-1913.2
2020-04-2012.5
2020-04-2110.2
2020-04-2214.9
2020-04-2315.8
2020-04-2418
2020-04-2519.5
2020-04-2620.5
2020-04-2722.1
2020-04-2829.8
2020-04-2926.3
2020-04-3022.5
2020-05-0120.4
2020-05-0222.9
2020-05-0324.2
2020-05-0421.2
2020-05-0518.9
2020-05-0616.9
2020-05-0719.4
2020-05-0821.6
2020-05-0920.2
2020-05-1019.6
2020-05-1121.5
2020-05-1220.6
2020-05-1322.3
2020-05-1420
2020-05-1519.3
2020-05-1618.3
2020-05-1719.6
2020-05-1818.6
2020-05-1919
2020-05-2019.3
2020-05-2119.7
2020-05-2217.9
2020-05-2318.3
2020-05-2417.9
2020-05-2518.3
2020-05-2619.6
2020-05-2719.9
2020-05-2819.2
2020-05-2912.1
2020-05-3013.3
2020-05-3113
2020-06-0113.8
2020-06-0213
2020-06-0311.4
2020-06-0412.2
2020-06-0517.7
2020-06-0616.8
2020-06-0716.1
2020-06-0815.5
2020-06-0918.8
2020-06-1020.6
2020-06-1121.6
2020-06-1222.5
2020-06-1322.3
2020-06-1422.3
2020-06-1524
2020-06-1622.4
2020-06-1721.1
2020-06-1819
2020-06-1919.2
2020-06-2020
2020-06-2120.1
2020-06-2219.9
2020-06-2319.9
2020-06-2422.7
2020-06-2525.6
2020-06-2625.8
2020-06-2726.5
2020-06-2826.1
2020-06-2925.5
2020-06-3025.9
2020-07-0124.3
2020-07-0223.2
2020-07-0321.1
2020-07-0419.5
2020-07-0519.8
2020-07-0620.1
2020-07-0715.1
2020-07-0812.1
2020-07-0912
2020-07-1012.2
2020-07-1112.7
2020-07-1212.8
2020-07-1312.7
2020-07-1412.8
2020-07-1513.6
2020-07-1613.6
2020-07-1713.4
2020-07-1813.2
2020-07-1913.3
2020-07-2012.8
2020-07-2115.5
2020-07-228.4
2020-07-238.2
2020-07-248.2
2020-07-257.7
2020-07-267.7
2020-07-277.5
2020-07-287.3
2020-07-2913.7
2020-07-3013.5
2020-07-3113.5
2020-08-0113.4
2020-08-0213.3
2020-08-0313.8
2020-08-048.4
2020-08-059.1
2020-08-069.4
2020-08-079.1
2020-08-089.1
2020-08-099.1
2020-08-108.9
2020-08-1111.5
2020-08-128.8
2020-08-138.3
2020-08-148.2
2020-08-158
2020-08-167.5
2020-08-178
2020-08-189.9
2020-08-1910.9
2020-08-2011.5
2020-08-2111.2
2020-08-2211.8
2020-08-2311.5
2020-08-2411.4
2020-08-2510.4
2020-08-2610.1
2020-08-279.3
2020-08-288.8
2020-08-297.5
2020-08-306.8
2020-08-316.1
2020-09-016
2020-09-026.3
2020-09-035.8
2020-09-046.1
2020-09-056.2
2020-09-066.2
2020-09-075.5
2020-09-086.2
2020-09-096
2020-09-106.2
2020-09-116.1
2020-09-126.1
2020-09-136.3
2020-09-146.9
2020-09-155.9
2020-09-164.3
2020-09-173.1
2020-09-182.6
2020-09-192.6
2020-09-202.6
2020-09-212.7
2020-09-223
2020-09-233.7
2020-09-244.2
2020-09-254.9
2020-09-263.8
2020-09-274
2020-09-283.9
2020-09-293.8
2020-09-304
2020-10-014.5
2020-10-024.5
2020-10-036
2020-10-043.6
2020-10-053.4
2020-10-063.1
2020-10-072.9
2020-10-082.8
2020-10-092.8
2020-10-102.7
2020-10-114.5
2020-10-125.6
2020-10-135.9
2020-10-145.1
2020-10-155.1
2020-10-164.9
2020-10-174.9
2020-10-184.6
2020-10-193.7
2020-10-203
2020-10-212.7
2020-10-222.7
2020-10-232.3
2020-10-242.3
2020-10-252.2
2020-10-262
2020-10-272.5
2020-10-283.1
2020-10-293.3
2020-10-303.9
2020-10-314.1
2020-11-014.1
2020-11-023.2
2020-11-032.3
2020-11-041.9
2020-11-051.9
2020-11-061.9
2020-11-071.7
2020-11-081.9
2020-11-092.5
2020-11-103.2
2020-11-114.6
2020-11-125
2020-11-134.7
2020-11-145
2020-11-154.5
2020-11-164.4
2020-11-174.2
2020-11-184.3
2020-11-194.1
2020-11-204.2
2020-11-213.7
2020-11-223.7
2020-11-233.5
2020-11-243.6
2020-11-253.6
2020-11-263.6
2020-11-273.8
2020-11-284.2
2020-11-293.8
2020-11-303.9
2020-12-014
2020-12-023.7
2020-12-034.2
2020-12-044.6
2020-12-055.4
2020-12-066.3
2020-12-077.3
2020-12-086.2
2020-12-097
2020-12-107.2
2020-12-118.3
2020-12-128.9
2020-12-138.5
2020-12-148.4
2020-12-1511
2020-12-1611.8
2020-12-1714.2
2020-12-1813.7
2020-12-1914.3
2020-12-2013.6
2020-12-2111.9
2020-12-2211.3
2020-12-2312.1
2020-12-2412
2020-12-2511.6
2020-12-2611.2
2020-12-2713.4
2020-12-2815.5
2020-12-2917
2020-12-3018.4
2020-12-3115.7
2021-01-0118.3
2021-01-0220.1
2021-01-0321.3
2021-01-0424.6
2021-01-0516.9
2021-01-0614.5
2021-01-0714.6
2021-01-0814.6
2021-01-0915.2
2021-01-1014.3
2021-01-1113.3
2021-01-1211.3
2021-01-138.8
2021-01-147.3
2021-01-157.6
2021-01-167.6
2021-01-178
2021-01-187.7
2021-01-198.6
2021-01-2011
2021-01-2116.5
2021-01-2212.8
2021-01-2312.4
2021-01-2410.7
2021-01-2511.2
2021-01-2613.1
2021-01-2713.9
2021-01-2812.4
2021-01-2915.8
2021-01-3017.8
2021-01-3122.1

Our World in Data. 7 March 2021. "Nigeria: The Share of COVID-19 Tests that Are Positive." [Accessed 9 Mar. 2021]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Public health criteria to adjust public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19, published on 12 May 2020, “[l]ess than 5% of samples positive for COVID-19, at least for the last 2 weeks, assuming that surveillance for suspected cases is comprehensive,” is one of the indications that the epidemic is "controlled."

Government measures

Entry/exit, quarantine measures and internal mobility

Refer to the United Nations (UN)'s World Food Programme (WFP) COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit restrictions, quarantine measures, and internal mobility in Nigeria.

The United Nations (UN)'s International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s Mobility Impacts COVID-19 portal provides regularly updated data on the restrictions and procedures applicable at specific points of entry (international and regional airports, border crossings and checkpoints).

Entry/exit

  • The United Nations (UN)'s World Food Programme (WFP) COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information provides the following summary of entry and exit restrictions, as reported by various sources:
    • Nigerian official threatens to ban flights from Netherlands, United Arab Emirates as reciprocal COVID-19 measures (Nigerian Tribune, 08.03.2021).
    • Authorities declare curfew in Jangebe, close market activities following violence in Zamfara (Reuters, 04.03.2021).
    • President imposes no-flight zone in Zamfara (Reuters, 02.03.2021).
    • Entry to Nigeria: International commercial flights resumed in Abuja and Lagos on 5 September, following a postponement from the original date of 29 August. The Nigerian Immigration service announced the resumption of passport and migrant registration on 1 July. The Nigerian authorities have advised that British nationals who exceed their authorised visa stays because of travel restrictions linked to coronavirus, will not be penalised for overstaying when they depart. If your visa expired before the start of the lockdown, you will be penalised, for the period up to the start of lockdown.

    United Nations (UN). 18 January 2021. World Food Programme (WFP). "COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information:Nigeria." [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021]

  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provides details on individuals for whom the international travel restrictions do not apply.

Quarantine measures/procedures at port-of-entry

  • The United Nations (UN)'s World Food Programme (WFP) COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information provides the following summary of procedures at arrival and quarantine measures, as reported by various sources:
    • Prior to departure, passengers travelling to Nigeria must complete the on-line pre- boarding health declaration at the Nigeria International Travel Portal. They must also have tested negative for COVID-19 within 96 hours of their departure to Nigeria and have uploaded their PCR test certificate to the on-line Travel Portal.
    • Passengers must also carry evidence of the test and result when they travel. Only a COVID-19 PCR test is acceptable to the Nigerian authorities. Also, before travel, passengers must book and pay for a repeat PCR test for day 7 of their arrival in Nigeria at the Nigeria International Travel Portal– evidence of the booking will be required on arrival.
    • On arrival all passengers will be screened by Port Health Officials and be required to provide full contact details, including their address in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has said it will closely monitor whether passengers are following the quarantine measures and conducting the repeat PCR test.
    • On 21 December, the Federal Government announced that it would impose sanctions on travellers to Nigeria who fail to take the repeat PCR test on day 7.
    • Quarantine requirements: All new arrivals are expected to self-isolate at one location in the city of their arrival until the result of their second PCR test (which should be taken on day 7 of arrival) is known. If the second test is negative individuals can exit self- isolation from day 8 onwards.
    • Anyone that has developed symptoms of coronavirus during their travel or later tests positive will be managed according to national guidelines for COVID-19 treatment. This may require quarantine at a government-monitored treatment centre.

    United Nations (UN). 18 January 2021. World Food Programme (WFP). "COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information:Nigeria." [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021]

Internal mobility

  • The United Nations (UN)'s World Food Programme (WFP) COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information provides the following summary of internal restrictions, as reported by various sources:
    • Travel in Nigeria: Passengers will be asked to follow a number of additional health procedures, including the following: you must wear a mask or face covering; all passengers' temperature will be taken on arrival at the airport; you are required to observe social distancing measures; you will be asked to use hand washing facilities installed outside the airports; your bags will be sprayed with decontamination fluids.
    • The Nigerian government strongly encourages travellers to re-consider all non-essential travel (domestic and international), during the holiday season to help fight the spread of coronavirus.
    • Most states in Nigeria have introduced their own restrictions on movement. All travellers and residents in Nigeria are encouraged to monitor announcements by the Nigerian authorities on further restrictions, which may be introduced at short notice.
    • The Federal Government has relaxed the lockdown restrictions in place in Abuja and Lagos and replaced them with new requirements, including a nationwide daily night time curfew between 00:00pm and 04:00am and the mandatory use of face masks in public.
    • Public spaces and services: Gatherings of over 50 people outside of workplaces are prohibited, including all weddings, conferences and sporting events. Bars, restaurants other than in hotels, events and recreational centres are currently closed. Places of worship are permitted to hold services, subject to limitations set by state authorities.
    • On 21 December, the Nigerian Government announced that schools will remain closed until at least 18 January 2021. Visits to public institutions, including government buildings, have been limited. Additional measures include a mandatory requirement to wear face masks in public spaces.

    United Nations (UN). 18 January 2021. World Food Programme (WFP). "COVID-19 Global Travel Restrictions and Airline Information:Nigeria." [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021]

Treatment of Specific Groups

  • The Gender and COVID-19 report on Nigeria published by the non-for-profits organisations Initiative for Equal Rights and Education as Vaccine and funded by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and the Ford Foundation provides the following :
    • Intimate partner violence is more likely, frequent, and severe in situations with higher poverty, food insecurity, household tensions, mental health issues, and men's inability to meet gender norms of being family breadwinners, all seen at present. … In places where there were strict movement restrictions, those subjected to violence were trapped in abusive homes, increasing the possibility of tensions turning violent and the frequency of violence, with no respite.
    • Violence against girls has grown.
    • Sexual violence against women has soared … More cases of corrective rape of lesbian and bisexual women were reported to The Initiative for Equal Rights in four months than the preceding three years. Further, sexual exploitation whereby food, water, shelter, protection, and other necessities are conditioned on sex has increased due to economic hardship and increased power of men over women and girls.
    • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people have experienced more familial verbal and physical abuse.
    • Social exclusion, neglect, and abuse of people with disabilities has risen. Their support structures, access to services, and social networks have decreased. They are at risk of stigmatisation due to false association with COVID-19 infection, for example if they have respiratory issues.
    • During the pandemic [s]ome shelters closed their doors, no longer admit survivors, are isolation centres, or require time consuming COVID test results as a prerequisite to admission

    Initiative for Equal Rights and Education as Vaccine. August 2020. Chitra Nagarajan. Gender and COVID-19 in Nigeria. ViolenceAgainst Women and Girls. [Accessed 2 Feb. 2021]

  • The CARE gender analysis report on Northeast Nigeria published by UN Women, and the NGO CARE Nigeria and Oxfam in Nigeria covers information on
    • Internally displaced persons (IDP) access to healthcare;
    • Availability of services for gender-based violence victims;
    • Child marriage and child abuse in relation to COVID-19.

    CARE Nigeria. 2 July 2020. Lilian N. Unaegbu, Peninah Kimiri, and Suzan Agada. “Rapid Gender Analysis: Northeast Region, Nigeria.” [Accessed 2 Feb. 2021]

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