Nigeria is leaving nothing to chance in a bid to successfully host the World Economic Forum Africa (WEFA) holding in the capital city of Abuja next week Wednesday to Friday, May 7 to 9.

President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to shut down the capital city during the period of the global summit, apparently as part of efforts to reassure world business and political leaders billed for the Forum of their safety against the background of recent terrorist attacks in the vicinity of Abuja.

The official reason given for the shutdown is the need to ease traffic flow for delegates but News Express reports that Abuja city centre where the WEFA is to hold at Transcorp Hilton Hotel is not prone to traffic gridlocks

According to a statement issued late yesterday by ‹‹‹‹Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, President Jonathan “has approved, as part of arrangements for the successful hosting of the World Economic Forum Africa, that all Government Offices and Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, expect those on essential services, are to be closed from Wednesday, 7th to Friday, 9th May, 2014.”

The statement said that “private organisations with large number of staff may also wish to close down,” adding that the shutdown is aimed “to ease the flow of traffic within the city and enable participants carry out their assigned roles and participate actively at the World Economic Forum Africa.”

•Photo shows the gateway to FCT Abuja.