On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Atiku Abubakar former vice president of Nigeria and 2019 Presidential Candidate for PDP revealed that one of the sons has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Under directives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Atiku disclosed his son had been has transferred to the Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for isolation and treatment.

Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Bala came into contact with Atiku's son and has gone into self-isolation. The two met in Aero Contractors aircraft where they shook hands and chatted. Although Mohammed has not shown any symptoms though he is awaiting test results. 

According to the NCDC, as of March 23, 2020, by 10:35 am there have been a total of 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Out of which are 33 active cases, 2 persons discharged and one recorded death. Nigeria’s first COVID-19 death was recorded to be a 67-year-old male who returned to the country following medical treatment in the United Kingdom. NCDC reported that he had underlying medical conditions such as multiple myeloma, diabetes, and was currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Most of the cases reported in the West African country were gotten either by returning Nigerians or foreigners. Nigeria has therefore placed travel restrictions on 15 countries with a high prevalence of the global pandemic, suspended its visa on arrival policy and shut down all airports in the country to international flights.

Both federal and state authorities in the country are also taking measures in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19 by shutting down schools, prohibiting large public gatherings