SARS-CoV-2, commonly known as corona-virus, has changed the world in just a few months. The global pandemic has significantly affected different countries in terms of the economies, public health, security, and living standards. Nigeria is no exception. The first case of the deadly virus in Nigeria was reported on 27th Feb 2020 and has since changed different sectors of the Nigerian economy, politics, and other critical sectors. The effects of the pandemic in Nigeria are far reaching and have caused various interventions and reactions by the government and the general public.
With the overall increase in the number of global corona-virus cases, Nigeria has recorded 981 corona-virus cases, 31 of which have resulted in the death of the victims.197 of the victims have successfully recovered which reflects the toil and determination of the healthcare sector. However, there is still a long way to go despite the interventions by the Nigerian government to reduce the rate of infection.
The Nigerian government has invested a great deal in tracking down corona-virus cases, testing, and treating the affected individuals through the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC). One intervention by the Nigerian government is a lock-down in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun. Despite some issues in implementation, the lock-down has been successful in reducing the spread of the virus. Being the most populated country in Africa, it is important that Nigerians adhere to the government directive to deal with the pandemic.
From an economic point of view, there are several changes that may result from the virus. One of the changes is a significant increase in government expenditure to deal with the costs associated with the pandemic. Another significant effects is the overall reduction in exports and direct investments which poses a significant risk to the Nigerian economy. From a public point of view, the virus has significantly lowered the standards of living as a result of increased unemployment, pay cuts, and high rates of layoffs.
Overall, the Corona-virus pandemic has greatly affected Nigeria, especially from an economic point of view. Despite the government’s efforts to deal with the problem, it is still a growing concern. It is essential for Nigerian citizens to follow the government directives and ensure they play their individual roles in avoiding the spread of the virus in Nigeria. The government may also implement stricter lock-down and social distancing interventions to improve the situation in the country. Below is a link to the Facebook group created to create more awareness about this virus:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/239536450434907/?ref=share
