Assessment of Government Response to Socioeconomic Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

Since the Nigerian economy is largely dominated by informal workers, the preventive measures (lockdown, movement restriction, social distancing and interstate travel ban) occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic will affect socioeconomic livelihood in Nigeria. Relying on secondary sources, this study examines socioeconomic challenges of Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, analyses and evaluates government response to curbing its effect on livelihood in Nigeria. Results from the study find bearings between Covid-19 pandemic and low socioeconomic livelihood in Nigeria. Palliative measures introduced by the government to minimize the effect of Covid-19 pandemic are largely ineffective owing to poor coordination, human right violations as well as inadequate fiscal policy. Recommendations from the study draws on the need for the government to diversify the economy by promoting the informal and agricultural sectors, facilitate infrastructural development and improve health facilities, to avoid economic recession of post Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Government preparedness and response towards COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria: A retrospective analysis of the last 6 months

“…Following an accelerated spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Federal Government ordered an initial 2-week lockdown on March 30th, in 2 states (Lagos and Ogun) as well as the FCT, which was extended by an additional 2 weeks on April 13th. With a teeming population of over 200 million people, 50% of which were living below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25/d [ 14 ], the informal economy represents a crucial lifeline for the increasing number of people unable to secure white collar jobs in Nigeria. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the informal sector was responsible for 80% of job creation in 2019 and contributed 58% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [ 14 ].…”

“…With a teeming population of over 200 million people, 50% of which were living below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25/d [ 14 ], the informal economy represents a crucial lifeline for the increasing number of people unable to secure white collar jobs in Nigeria. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the informal sector was responsible for 80% of job creation in 2019 and contributed 58% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [ 14 ]. In lieu of this numbers, the preventive measures associated with the imposed lockdown, such as: movement restrictions, interstate travel ban and physical distancing meant that millions of people in the informal sector, relying on daily income for survival, were rendered unemployed and without a source of income [ 14 ].…”

“…The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the informal sector was responsible for 80% of job creation in 2019 and contributed 58% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [ 14 ]. In lieu of this numbers, the preventive measures associated with the imposed lockdown, such as: movement restrictions, interstate travel ban and physical distancing meant that millions of people in the informal sector, relying on daily income for survival, were rendered unemployed and without a source of income [ 14 ]. In recognition of this dilemma, the government had promised palliative measures in form of conditional cash transfers for about 3.6 million vulnerable citizens; however, the eligibility criteria for this measure, including: referral by community leaders and available bank balance below N5000 (US$ 13), as well as unproven claims of misappropriation, made this scheme largely ineffective [ 15 ].…”

“…In recognition of this dilemma, the government had promised palliative measures in form of conditional cash transfers for about 3.6 million vulnerable citizens; however, the eligibility criteria for this measure, including: referral by community leaders and available bank balance below N5000 (US$ 13), as well as unproven claims of misappropriation, made this scheme largely ineffective [ 15 ]. This, coupled with human rights violations by security personnel responsible for enforcing the lockdown directive resulted in demonstrations and widespread disobedience of the directive by many, effectively rendering it redundant, and contributing to community transmission of COVID-19 [ 14 ].…”

Covid-19 Pandemic and Internally Generated Revenues in Local Governments: Nigeria Experience

“…The dwindle allocation in recent time and increase in recurrent expenditures because of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the need to re-engineered the revenue drives of the local government for future prospect and development, especially, at post pandemic era. Various researchers had conducted research on the impact of COVID -19 on various areas such as informal economy (Khambule, 2020;Nnabuife, Okoli, & Anugwu, 2020); Government response to socioeconomic (Awofeso & Irabor, 2020); Agriculture (Otekunrin, Otekunrin , Fashina, Omotayo, & Akran, 2020;Singh, Sharma, & Sharma, 2020); Stock market indices (Adekoya. & Nti, 2020); Medical tourism (Sharma, Vishray, Ahlawat, Mittal, & Mittal, 2020); Churches and pastoral ministry (Afolaranmi, 2020); Small and medium scale business (Imache, Tian, Tasinda, & Salisu, 2020); Supply chain (Babatunde, 2020) and Aviation (Siyan, Adegoriola, & Agunbiade, 2020) with less emphasis or focus on the impact on local government internally generated revenues and its administration.…”