Nigeria to ease Abuja and Lagos lockdowns on 4 May
Nigeria will commence a "gradual easing" of coronavirus-related lockdowns in the federal capital territory of Abuja, and Lagos and Ogun states from 4 May.
The lockdowns had been due to end on Monday night, but President Muhammadu Buhari said they had a need to continue.
He also ordered new nationwide measures against Covid-19, including a night-time curfew and mandatory face masks.
The moves would ensure the economy functioned "while still maintaining our aggressive response", Mr Buhari said.
Earlier, personnel at a construction site in Lagos rioted in protest at the lockdown.
A police spokesman said the personnel at the Lekki Free Trade zone - including those at the oil refinery of billionaire Aliko Dangote - continued the rampage and injured several officers in the region. Fifty-one persons were arrested, he added.
There are reports that the protesters were angry that some foreign nationals were permitted to go to just work at the site.
Nigeria, Africa's most-populous nation and most significant economy, has reported 1,273 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 40 deaths.
In a televised address on Monday night, Mr Buhari acknowledged that the lockdowns in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun had "come at a very heavy economic cost" given that they commenced on 30 March.
"Quite a few citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many businesses have shut down," he said.
He added: "No country can afford the entire impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines."
The president said there would therefore be considered a "phased and gradual easing" of the lockdowns next Monday to allow some monetary activities to resume.
But to limit the spread of Covid-19, he announced that the government would impose a curfew across the country between 20:00 and 06:00, require everyone to wear face masks in public areas, and prevent "non-essential inter-state passenger travel".
Bans on social and religious gatherings may also remain in place.
Mr Buhari also expressed deep concern over the unexplained deaths of a number of people in the northern state of Kano.
He said a lockdown will be imposed there for two weeks with immediate effect and that he was sending a government team to research.
