International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Citizens’ Perception of Political Trust in The Nigerian Government on COVID-19 Management
Modupeola Atoke ADEOLU-AKANDE
Department of Management and Accounting, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract: This study evaluates the political trust in the Nigerian government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretically, the study is hinged on the Socio-Cognitive Trust Model which posits trust as a mental state (cognitive beliefs and goals); determined by the reciprocal deterministic relationship between an individual, the environment, and behaviour. The study acquired data from previous scholarly publications. Political trust has been identified as a key determinant in citizens’ relationship with their government; their acceptance of regulations, measures, and policies; and their compliance with rules. In Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was low compliance with the restrictive lockdown measures, due mostly to lack of information, distrust, and discontentment with the Nigerian government policies. There were reports of looting of palliative materials, food, drugs and clothing, during the pandemic. Also, there was resistance to COVID-19 testing and vaccination, disbelief in its existence and civil protests. All these are indications of the chronic dearth of political trust in Nigeria. Though the Nigerian government seem to have overcome the menace of the pandemic and is at the recovery stage, it is still important to continue building citizens’ trust, for the success of any government. The study recommends intensification of the call for political restructuring and economic divergence as the means of strengthening the overall capacity of the Nigerian government in handling emergencies. The study also noted that improving political and social trust would play a pivotal role in determining how citizens accept and comply with governmental policies and regulations.
Keywords: COVID-19, Nigerian government, Political trust, Socio-cognitive Trust Model
JEL Classification: D72, G18, G28
I. INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the global community at an alarming rate as it defied all conventional approaches to curtail it. COVID-19 pandemic was declared a health crisis and proved to quickly become a political crisis. Its complex, global and interdependent nature necessitated the urgent need for governments worldwide to find a solution to curb the menace. All the various levels, agents and actors of government across diverse sectors were compelled to deliberate, and collaborate efforts, to develop various, well-coordinated and effective public health policies. Wide range of restrictive measures and lockdown orders, such as mask-wearing, movement restrictions, closure of shops, markets, schools, and religious centres, ban on mass gatherings, socio-economic and religious activities were imposed on citizens. These measures exacerbated political and