In a communique read by the Chairman of the Forum and Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, after a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, to review security strategies and fight against banditry, he said the decision to close down the schools became imperative, to prevent the spread of COVID 19 disease across the northwest.

Governor Masari said the closure will take effect from Monday 23rd of March 2020.

He said the governors will meet with examination boards go discuss the school’s closure.

They also advised the general public to avoid unnecessary gatherings, urging them to maintain good respiratory hygiene.

Present at the meeting is the governors of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger States, while Kano deputy governor Nasiru Gawuna represented governor Umar Ganduje.

Also among the states to implement the closure is Kwara state, whose governor was absent at the meeting.