Sociological Assessment of the Perception of Nigerians on the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Pandemic

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Sociological Assessment of the Perception of Nigerians on the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Pandemic

Anthony Abah Ebonyi¹, Anne Abok^2
1Ph.D Final Defence, Department of Sociology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
²Int’l Director, Media Campaign against Human Trafficking in Persons (MeCAHT)

Abstract: – This paper assesses the perception of Nigerians in regard to the Coronavirus disease pandemic. It focuses on the level of awareness and attitude of the people towards the Covid-19, and how it impacts on their livelihoods, including the measures taken, and associated challenges to contain the disease and halt its wild-fire-like contagion. The paper adopts a desk review methodology to argue that Coronavirus disease is a reality that has an overarching social, psychological, and economic implications for people world over, Nigeria, not exempted. Findings reveal that regardless of this stack reality, most Nigerians tend to jettison the presence of Covid-19 and its epidemiological and socio-economic havoc. Measures adopted by the Government such as social/physical distancing, hand washing and or sanitization, lockdowns, among others, are most often disregarded by people. Also, to reduce the all-round effect of the disease, Government and other concerned Nigerians regularly give out palliatives to ameliorate the challenges occasioned by Covid-19, however, these efforts are been jeopardised because of the selfish and vested interests of a few Nigerians, including some Government officials, who are charged with the responsibility of distributing palliatives intended for the most vulnerable members of the public. These unscrupulous individuals, rather than act as directed, convert the palliatives to personal use, and, in some cases, give out to friends and relations; a situation that heightens the skepticism and sarcasm among majority of Nigerians, concerning Covid-19. The paper concludes that while it is relevant to align with the international community in finding solutions to the pandemic, it is fitting to look in-wards because of Nigeria’s peculiar cultural orientations and belief systems. In this way, indigenous remedy would be applied in solving global problem such as the novel Coronavirus disease that threatens humanity today.

Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown, Nigeria, palliatives, perception

I. INTRODUCTION

Across the world, people of diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and ideological inclinations, continue to battle the dreaded Coronavirus disease and its concomitant impacts. However, in Nigeria, it seems people are yet to come to terms with the fact that Covid-19 is a reality and not a myth, as most of them still disregard the regular advisory given by the government and private organisations.

Read More