The Impact of the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic on Education in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Impact of the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic on Education in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal

OLUKA, Nduka Lucas^1*, EZEH, Ndiombeze Augustina PhD.², & OKOTIE, Agbedia Joshua³

^{1 & 3}Department of Political Science, Novena University Ogume, Delta .State, Nigeria
²Department of Business Administration, Novena University Ogume, Delta .State, Nigeria
*Correspondence Author

Abstract: This study examined the immediate and long-term impacts of the outbreak of the novel Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on education in Nigeria. The study, thus, argued that the temporary closure of businesses, social activities and the continued closure of schools in the face the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 have impacted negatively on the development of education that was already in comatose state in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of this study which is to identify the immediate and long-term impacts of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic on education in Nigeria, study adopted cross sectional research design which has three aspects via investigation of contemporary phenomenon and life context, and the use of multiple source of evidence. This research design lends itself to explorative and explanatory methods. Some solutions that could address the immediate and long-term impacts of the closure of schools in the face of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country were suggested. However, there is the need for common understanding between the government, its agencies and other stakeholders in the cause of finding solutions to the challenges of the outbreak of the virus, and the continued closure of schools in the country; there is also the need for the government and policy makers to mitigate the impacts of the closure of schools through the provision of technologies needed to facilitate e-learning, such as computers, mobile data packages, subsidizing telecommunication and power supply bills to the citizenries, among others.

Keywords: Nigeria, Education System, Schools, Coronavirus Pandemic (Covid-19) Pandemic.

I. INTRODUCTION

The outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic also known as COVID-19 in Wuhan, the ground Zero of the virus and the Capital City of Hubei Province in the Republic of China on September 2019 and that which later spread to other parts of the world, has affected the entire world populace and businesses (Kim, 2020). Most importantly, the outbreak of the pandemic has impacted negatively on schools’ resumptions that have long been closed down in virtually all the nations of the world, including Nigeria. Following the 27th February 2020 declaration of the first case of the virus in Lagos, Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian students seem to have been made to pay the price for this global debacle, a war of bioterrorism, as alleged by the conspiracy theorists, and that which has impacted negatively on the system of education in the country.

Read More