CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in Wuhan
Province China in December 2019 and has spread throughout the globe. Since
its first outbreak, the virus has killed over 600,000 people and infected over
fourteen million (14,000,000) across the globe (WHO, 2020).
The symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath, and it is
diagnosed through a laboratory test. The contagion could lead to severe
respiratory problems or death, particularly among the elderly and persons with
underlying chronic illnesses. Some infected persons however, are carriers for the
virus with no symptoms while others may experience only a mild illness and
recover easily (Sauer, 2020). As there is currently no cure or vaccine for the
COVID-19; medical treatments are limited to supportive measures aimed at
relieving symptoms, use of research drugs and therapeutics.
Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 on the 27 th February 2020
(Nigeria Centre for Disease Control [NCDC]), (2020a). It was carried by an
Italian citizen, who later tested negative after some time in a hospital in Lagos,
thus, becoming the index case for Covid-19 in Nigeria and as at 20 th July 2020
the country has reported 36,663 cases, 15,505 recovered, while 789 are dead,
with the majority of the COVID-19 cases from Lagos state (NCDC, 2020b).
However, 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 organizations in Nigeria (most especially
some part of the north central region of the country).
To prevent further spread of the virus, civil societies and government
agencies embarked on enlightenment campaigns for good hygiene and social

1
distancing. Temperature screening was conducted at airports and those
returning from countries with numerous confirmed cases of COVID-19 were
implored to self-isolate. The NCDC in association with State governments also
began tracing and tracking of possible victims and their contacts. On March 18,
2020, the Lagos State government suspended all gatherings above fifty people
for four weeks and ordered all lower and middle level public officers to stay-at-
home (Radio Nigeria, March 22, 2020). Similarly, the Federal government, on
March 30, 2020 introduced various containment strategies such as closing of the
national borders and airspace, schools, worship centers and other public places,
canceling of mass gathering events and placing the Federal Capital Territory,
Lagos and Ogun states on lock down for an initial period of fourteen days
(Ewodage, 2020). Covid-19 testing laboratories were set up in Lagos, Abuja and
Irrua in Edo State while State governments opened isolation centres and
imposed dawn to dust curfews in their territories.
Federal Capital territory (FCT) has reported 3,027 cases, Kwara State has
reported 535 cases; Niger State north central Nigeria recorded 151 cases, while
Kogi State has only recorded 5 cases as at the period of this research work.
Specifically, are some individuals, in some occupations, better suited to work
from home? Given a specific occupational group, what determines the
distribution of productivity within an occupational group? Answers to these
questions can have a profound impact in identifying which different occupational
groups will structure their work arrangements. For some occupations, it may be
that the nature of the work itself determines the level of productivity workers are
able to achieve from home. In essence, individual preferences, personality, and
behaviors will have little impact on their level of productivity when working from
home – occupational characteristics will trump individual characteristics and
preferences. For other occupations, the opposite might be true. Individuals

2
within a given occupation will show a significant variation in their productivity
when performing very similar tasks. In other words, within a given occupation
individual preferences, personality, and behaviors will have a significant impact
on workers' level of productivity – individual characteristics and preferences will
trump the occupational characteristics.
The interplay of occupational and individual characteristics has important
research and practical implications. When individual characteristics trump
occupational characteristics, moving to work from home arrangements may
require selection of workers who are better suited to work from home, training of
such workers on more efficient methods of remote work, and greater monitoring
of the quality and productivity of those assigned to work from home. However,
when occupational characteristics trump individual characteristics, moving to
work from home arrangements may depend on the average level of productivity
at home versus work and will not require much selection, training, and
monitoring if deciding to allow employees to work from home.
The Covid-19 pandemic presents researchers and practitioners with a
massive (unplanned) experiment. The broad shift to working from home may
enable researchers to address two important questions.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

One of the most observable changes which occurred as a result of the Covid-
19 pandemic has been the shift of many employees to work from home
arrangements across occupations. Individuals from some occupational groups
that had very little experience with working from home were shifted to such
arrangements (e.g., teachers in primary education) while individuals across
occupation who preferred not to work from home, were now forced into such
working arrangements. At the same time, some individuals in certain occupations

3
experienced a less forceful change. Certain occupational groups have a
significant experience with work from home arrangements (e.g., translators) and
individuals across occupational groups had already have a significant experience
working from home.
The problem of the study can be summarized as follows:
i. The covid-19 outbreak has really caused a lot of damage than good to
many homes as a lot of people were relieved of their job and many
businesses were completely shut down.
ii. Some Service rendering organizational, has gone bankruptcy due to
their inability to render their usual service to customers during the
period of lockdown due to covid-19.
iii. The covid-19 lockdown has really affected the agricultural sector and in
return has affected the price of agricultural produce in Nigeria.
iv. The covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown has negatively affected the
education system and as well school business for proprietor/
proprietress, has some of them had to keep on paying all there staff
despite no work.
v. The lockdown due the pandemic has really affect a lot of business both
in public and private sector and in return as affected the economy as
the Central bank of Nigeria government on 20 th of November 2020
declare the country to have entered another recession.
Hence this intend to assess the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on economy of
Nigeria with focus on Lokoja Local government as the case study.

4
1.3 Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of the study is to assess the effect of Covid-19 on Nigeria
economy with focus on Lokoja Local Government area of kogi State, while
Specific objectives are to:
i. To determine the factors or causes of the Covid-19
ii. To determine whether Covid-19 really existed.
iii. To examine the effect of covid-19 on household
iv. To examine how lockdown due to Covid-19 has affected business activities
v. To recommend measures that can be taken to avoid the spread of the
virus.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study shall be of great benefit;
i. The desire for rapid economic development and technological advancement
make this study a subject of great significance.
ii. This study will be of valuable assistance to every individual on the reality of
Covid-19,
iii. It will be an eye opener for the general public on how covid-19 pandemic
has affected the Nigeria economy.
iv. In other words, the research will add essential material for academic
study as research work form the basis of any meaningfully study.
v. It will also help to instigate other researcher to further carryout extensive
study on covid-19 pandemic.
vi. In addition, the study will help to inform the less-informed and uninformed
of the origin, causes and control measure for covid-19

5
1.5 Research Questions
In order to attain the goal of this study the following research questions
were raised:
i. Does Covid-19 as any effect on Nigeria economy?
ii. What are the factors or causes the Covid-19 pandemic?
iii. Does Covid-19 really exist as claimed?
iv. Does the covid-19 pandemic as any effect on household?
v. How has the lockdown due to Covid-19 affected business activities in
Nigeria?
vi. What are measures that can be taken to avoid the spread of the virus
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study centers on the assessment of the effect of covid-19 on Nigeria
economy using Lokoja Local Government as the case study. The study will also
examine the effect of covid-19 on house and on business activities in the study
area. The scope of this study covers the period 2019 – 2020.

The limitation of the study includes:

Financial constraint: - Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the
researchers in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in
the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Inadequate Literature: due to the scanty in the literature on Covid-19, this
study was limited to some extent.
Time constraint: - is one of the limitations of the study as the researcher had
to share the available time between lectures and the research work

1.7 Definition of Terms

This section aims at defining some of the technical terms used in the
course of this project writing, to avoid ambiguity and elicit proper understanding:

6
1. Covid-19: is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
NCDC (2020)
2. Pandemic: is an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area,
crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large population
WHO, (2020)
3. Lockdown: is requirement for people to stay where they are, usually due to
specific risks to themselves or to others if they can move freely. Wikipedia (2020)
4. Economy: the state of a country or region in terms of the production and
consumption of goods and services and the supply of money. (Business
Dictionary)
5. Palliative: This is defined as relieving pain without dealing with cause of the
condition or something done to make bad situation better, but which does not
solve the problem. Longman Dictionary (2019)
6. Organization: is a group of people who work together, like a neighborhood
association, a charity, a union, or a corporation.
7. Employment: is an agreement between an employer and an employee that
the employee will provide certain services.
8. Performance: Achievement and attainment of state goals. The act of
acquiring out a duty or accomplishing something such as a task action.

7
CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Origin of Covid-19 Pandemic
Corona viruses are a group of viruses that can be transmitted between
animals and people, causing illnesses that may range from the common cold to
more severe respiratory syndromes (Sauer, 2020). The acronym Covid-19
emerged in February 2020, when the International Committee on Taxonomy of
Viruses and the World Health Organization announced official names for both the
virus and the disease it causes: SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19, respectively. The
name of the disease is derived from the words corona, virus, and disease, while
the number 19 represents the year that it emerged (Elflein, 2020).
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in Wuhan
Province China in December 2019 and has spread throughout the globe. Since
its first outbreak, the virus has killed over 600,000 people and infected over
fourteen million (14,000,000) across the globe (WHO, 2020).
The symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath, and it is
diagnosed through a laboratory test. The contagion could lead to severe
respiratory problems or death, particularly among the elderly and persons with
underlying chronic illnesses. Some infected persons however, are carriers for the
virus with no symptoms while others may experience only a mild illness and
recover easily (Sauer, 2020). As there is currently no cure or vaccine for the
COVID-19; medical treatments are limited to supportive measures aimed at
relieving symptoms, use of research drugs and therapeutics.
Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 on the 27 th February 2020
(Nigeria Centre for Disease Control [NCDC]), (2020a). It was carried by an
Italian citizen, who later tested negative after some time in a hospital in Lagos,
thus, becoming the index case for Covid-19 in Nigeria and as at 20 th July 2020

8
the country has reported 36,663 cases, 15,505 recovered, while 789 are dead,
with the majority of the COVID-19 cases from Lagos state (NCDC, 2020b). And
as at today 17th February, 2021 Nigeria has recorded 148,296. (NCDC, 2021).
2.2 The Effect of Covid-19 on Nigeria Economy
The immediate impact of COVID-19 was a wave of panic buying by the
public. Among the products to disappear from supermarket shelves in the first
few days were toilet rolls, disinfectants and sanitizers, pasta, rice, flour, and
yeast, and in some countries, eggs, cheese, and milk. General trends included
increased meat, egg, and dairy retail sales with a sharp upward spike as
lockdowns were announced (Weersink,2020), but then sustained sales when
compared with year-on-year, from early March to July, where records are
available (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, 2020). This was a
consequence of the increase in meals being prepared at home, with schools,
workplaces, and restaurants closed.
Countries such as the U.S. have two relatively distinct supply chains: one
that supplies grocery stores and one that supplies the food service industry.
Hence, gaps on shelves did not represent a shortage of commodity per se but
the commodity existing in forms unsuitable for supermarkets compounded by
distribution chains unable to cope with increased retail demand. As restaurants
and schools closed, overall demand for dairy showed a 12–15% decline in the
U.S. (Gibbens, 2020), leading to milk surplus and dumping. Whole egg demand
increased but liquid egg demand, usually 30% of the U.S. egg market,
decreased, leading to plant closures, contract cancellations, and the euthanasia
of laying hens. The demand fell for high-end beef usually served in restaurants
and farmers and processors struggled to cope with changing levels and types of
demand from different sectors. However, the greatest impact of COVID-19 on
the livestock product supply chain commenced with disease outbreaks among

9
processing plant workers, leading to plant closures and effects up and down the
food chain.
Economic impacts are assessed in terms of their effects on national gross
domestic product (GDP), agri-food system GDP, and the number of people living
below the international US$1.90-a-day poverty line. We estimate that national
GDP declined sharply during the country's lockdown period, and that Nigeria will
experience recession during 2020. More specifically, the lockdown policies
reduced Nigerian GDP by US$11 billion or 23% during the 8-week period.
Depending on the nature of economic recovery in the second half of 2020, we
estimate that GDP will be between 6% and 9% lower compared to the levels of
GDP there were expected during 2020 prior to the onset of COVID-19. Our
estimated contraction of the economy is consistent with global projections,
although these tend to fall close to our more optimistic scenarios. Despite being
exempted from many of the government's lockdown policies, we estimate an
11% decline in agri-food system GDP (US$1.6 billion). We also estimate a
temporary 9% point increase in the national poverty headcount rate, implying
that there were 17 million more people living below the poverty line during the
8-week lockdown period—some of whom remain poor at the end of 2020

2.3 Lockdown Due to Covid-19 and the Post Effect on Business

The immediate impact of COVID-19 was a wave of panic buying by the
public. Among the products to disappear from supermarket shelves in the first
few days were toilet rolls, disinfectants and sanitizers, pasta, rice, flour, and
yeast, and in some countries, eggs, cheese, and milk. General trends included
increased meat, egg, and dairy retail sales with a sharp upward spike as
lockdowns were announced (Weersink,2020), but then sustained sales when
compared with year-on-year, from early March to July, where records are
available (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, 2020). This was a

10
consequence of the increase in meals being prepared at home, with schools,
workplaces, and restaurants closed.

Countries such as the U.S. have two relatively distinct supply chains: one that
supplies grocery stores and one that supplies the food service industry. Hence,
gaps on shelves did not represent a shortage of commodity per se but the
commodity existing in forms unsuitable for supermarkets compounded by
distribution chains unable to cope with increased retail demand. As restaurants
and schools closed, overall demand for dairy showed a 12–15% decline in the
U.S. (Gibbens, 2020), leading to milk surplus and dumping. Whole egg demand
increased but liquid egg demand, usually 30% of the U.S. egg market,
decreased, leading to plant closures, contract cancellations, and the euthanasia
of laying hens. The demand fell for high-end beef usually served in restaurants
and farmers and processors struggled to cope with changing levels and types of
demand from different sectors. However, the greatest impact of COVID-19 on
the livestock product supply chain commenced with disease outbreaks among
processing plant workers, leading to plant closures and effects up and down the
food chain.
Economic impacts are assessed in terms of their effects on national gross
domestic product (GDP), agri-food system GDP, and the number of people living
below the international US$1.90-a-day poverty line. We estimate that national
GDP declined sharply during the country's lockdown period, and that Nigeria will
experience recession during 2020. More specifically, the lockdown policies
reduced Nigerian GDP by US$11 billion or 23% during the 8-week period.
Depending on the nature of economic recovery in the second half of 2020, we
estimate that GDP will be between 6% and 9% lower compared to the levels of
GDP there were expected during 2020 prior to the onset of COVID-19. Our
estimated contraction of the economy is consistent with global projections,

11
although these tend to fall close to our more optimistic scenarios. Despite being
exempted from many of the government's lockdown policies, we estimate an
11% decline in agri-food system GDP (US$1.6 billion). We also estimate a
temporary 9% point increase in the national poverty headcount rate, implying
that there were 17 million more people living below the poverty line during the
8-week lockdown period—some of whom remain poor at the end of 2020

2.4 Believes and Attitude of Nigerians to Covid-19

Our perceptions can also be affected by our beliefs, values, prejudices,
expectations, and life experiences. A closer look at the manner and ways in
which most Nigerians (especially some parts of the north central region) react to
the Covid-19 pandemic is characteristic of their perception and belief. Electronic
and print media are awash with reports of how most people across the region
have dismissed the claim that a new disease called covid-19 has invaded humans
and the human space, thereby causing not only global epidemiological disasters
but also social, economic and political mayhem that currently threatens the very
soul of humanity.
The Nigerian government (just like other governments around the world)
introduced various containment strategies which have interfered with individuals’
daily lives and have led to severe economic loss and social disruption. People
were coerced to stay at home, businesses and offices were closed, exempting
healthcare facilities/workers and essential commercial establishments. For
Nigerians making a living in the informal economy, their livelihood is now
threatened by the lockdown since much of their activities and businesses involve
face-to-face contact.
Studies (e.g. Brug, Aro, Oenema, de Zwart, Richardus& Bishop, 2004; Choi
& Yang, 2010; Hussain, Hussain & Hussain 2012) revealed that individuals’ level

12
of consciousness and healthy belief about an infectious disease can make them
behave in ways that may prevent infection.
In north central region and Nigeria at large at early emergence of covid-19
till late June 2020, there is no social safety net, no access to food stamps or
unemployment benefits, most people earn their living on a daily basis.
Regardless of this, there has so far been a high degree of compliance with the
government directives, Nigerians are engaging in vigilant hand washing,
practicing social distancing and self-isolation, and avoiding going to work, school
or crowded areas except for few places in the north central region. Even most
religious leaders agreed to stop large gatherings, forbid the shaking of hands and
directed church members to pray at home and use hand sanitizers (Makinde,
Nwogu, Ajaja&Alagbe, 2020; Olatunji, 2020).
On the other hand, some Nigerians due to superstitions and ignorance of
the science behind the infection prefer only to pray (even violating the social
distancing rule by attending churches or mosques during the lockdown) and use
anointing oils, talisman, herbs or rituals (Abati, 2020) to prevent contracting and
spreading the virus. Some also use social media platforms (e.g. Whatsapp,
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to spread fear, project fake news concerning
the source of the virus, promote prejudice against China, incite panic buying,
proffer fake cures and undermine medical advice, deliberately or ignorantly
(Hassan, 2020). They opined that lockdown, self-isolation and social distancing
are un-African solutions to the pandemic (Abati, 2020).
A lot of people’s perception towards Covid-19 is either skepticism, sarcasm,
ignorance, or out-right rejection. A survey conducted by the BBC at the end of
March, 2020, to determine the perception of Lagosians a state in south-west
Region of Nigeria, revealed that survival seemed to matter more to the people
than the danger posed by the Corona virus disease. The survey also showed that

13
risking infection was preferable to hunger and starvation. Thus, it became a
question of “fearing hunger, not the virus”. In concrete terms, one of the
respondents erroneously stated: “It is hunger I am worried about, not a virus. I
even heard it doesn’t kill young people” (Orjinmo, 2020). This response arguably
represents the view held by majority of the people, and points to the assertion
that the socio-economic conditions of people determine their social
consciousness.
2.5 Covid-19 and Employees’ Performance in Public Organization
While COVID-19 abruptly upended normal work routines, it also caused an
acceleration of trends that were already underway involving the migration of
work to online or virtual environments. A key difference when considering
research on practices such as Work From-Home (WFH) prior to the pandemic,
though, is that WFH was previously often responsive to employee preferences
but COVID-19 forced many into Mandatory Work From Home (MWFH).
Work from Home (WFH). A Gartner (2020) survey of 229 Human Resources (HR)
departments showed that approximately one-half of the companies had more
than 80% of their employees working from home during early stages of the
COVID-19 pandemic – and estimated substantial long-term increases for remote
work after the pandemic. The need for millions of workers to WFH in response to
COVID-19 has accelerated recent remote work trends facilitated by the rise of
connectivity and communication technologies. While “remote work” is a broader
category since it can include Work From Anywhere (i.e., not necessarily home),
we do know that some – such as professionals who need to perform complex
tasks that require little interaction with peers – actually prefer and are more
productive if they WFH (Allen, Cho, & Meier, 2014). Yet as large numbers of
workers are forced to work from home, many face challenges due to such
fundamental issues as not having space in one's home to attend to work.

14
Employees who live with others also face a larger set of challenges than those
who live alone since they need to navigate others' space as well (see later
section on Family Status).
Employees often find it challenging to maintain boundaries between work
and non-work (Ramarajan& Reid, 2013). The forced confinement of workers
during the COVID 19-pandemic has further complicated this issue. While WFH
might sound appealing if it offers a safe harbor, the absence of separation
between one’s work and home – and the lack of commutes to provide a
transition between the two domains – can become a burden too. Questions that
would benefit from closer study include: how do our experiences in the work and
non-work domains influence each other, and how do our work and non-work
identities interact, when they unfold at home? One domain that might offer
lessons – in addition to being increasingly important independently – is the
experience of gig workers (i.e., people taking on very-short-term jobs [Ashford,
Caza& Reid, 2018]) since they often Work From Anyhwere (e.g., as drivers,
shoppers, and delivery people). Reflective of the gig economy’s expansion prior
to COVID-19: in the US, at least, 20% of the current workforce are freelance
workers (McKinsey & Co, 2016), COVID-19 and the Workplace 8 and that
number has been predicted to grow to 40% by the mid-2020s (Gillespie, 2017).
Remarkably, labor economists estimate that all of the net job growth between
2005 and 2015 was in this sector (Katz & Kruger, 2016). While so-called
rideshare companies were shut down as part of the first wave of reactions to the
COVID-19 outbreak, a corresponding boom in various delivery services staffed by
gig workers shows the growth potential of such jobs.
The challenges that gig workers are known to face will sound familiar to
those required to WFH since they include getting and staying organized;
managing the heightened emotions associated with such work; figuring out and

15
maintaining an identity so that those emotions do not disrupt the productivity
upon which their survival depends; coping with loneliness while also seeking out
and maintaining functional relationships that support the work; and, establishing
some semblance of a longer-term career (Ashford et al., 2018).
Indeed, a nuanced conceptualizing of virtuality – as a continuous variable,
given that teams are not simply either face-to-face or virtual – has already been
developed (Mak& Kozlowski, 2019) and should prove helpful for future
researchers who work to classify the myriad forms of virtual teamwork that have
been thrust on workers via COVID-19. Prior research shows that virtual
teamwork tends to lack the communication richness available to face-to-face
teams (Martins, Gilson, & Maynard, 2004) and that traditional teamwork
problems such as conflict and coordination can escalate quickly in virtual teams
(Mortensen & Hinds, 2001). Building structural scaffolds to mitigate conflicts,
align teams, and ensure safe and thorough information processing are key
recommendations for virtual teams. For example, prior work has shown the
need– especially in virtual teams – to formalize team processes, clarify team
goals, and build-in structural solutions to foster psychologically safe discussions
(e.g., Gibson & Gibbs, 2006; Huang et al., 2002).
Increased team virtuality as a result of COVID-19 may also affect helping
and pro-social behavior. While physical distancing among co-workers may reduce
helping behaviors in the near term, we know that people should be bolder to
request help from others since people do tend to be more willing to help, and
give better-quality help, than we usually assume (Flynn & Lake, 2008; Newark,
Bohns, & Flynn, 2017), perhaps especially during crises. Normal impediments to
requesting help center on the feeling that it can be uncomfortable, awkward, and
embarrassing

16
(e.g., Bohns& Flynn, 2010), but “best practices” in helping can assist help-
seekers in overcoming these psychological barriers by maintaining personal
privacy (Cleavenger&Munyon, 2017), reducing stigmatization (Ben-Porath, 2002),
and instilling hope that things will get better once help is received (McDermott,
et al., 2017).
2.6 Historical Background Of Lokoja Local Government
Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. It lies at the confluence of the Niger and
Benuerivers and is the capital of Nigeria's Kogi State.
Although the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, the present
settlement at Lokoja was established in 1857 by the British explorer William
Baikie at the site of an earlier model farm constructed during the failed Niger
expedition of 1841. Lokoja was the capital of the British Northern Nigeria
Protectorate and remained a convenient administrative town for the British
colonial government after the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in
1914. The first Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard, governed the new nation
of Nigeria from Lokoja.
The city's population has since grown to an estimated count of over
90,000 inhabitants. It is a trade center with respect to its agricultural products;
this is because it is situated at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and
is close to the new federal capital of Nigeria in Abuja. It is also home to Kogi
State Polytechnic and the newly established Federal University Lokoja. Near
Lokoja, in Ajaokuta, are metallurgy facilities and iron ore mines.
Lokoja is also a Local Government Area of Kogi State with an area of 3,180 km²
and a population of 195,261 at the 2006 census. It is bounded by the Niger in
the north and east upstream from the capital until the border with Kwara State,
and includes the city of Lokoja. The postal code of the area is 260.
2.7 Appraisal and Summary of Literature

17
 The pandemic has left many people unemployed, confused and looking for
answers but not answers from a government they do not trust. Just like
superstitions are created to explain a certain phenomenon, the human mind
needs to make sense of these events. However, such explanations are usually
believed by those who fail to analyze the information being fed to them. There
has been a lot of controversy over the existence of Covid-19, to many it was a
false alarm, some feels it was an avenue for the government to embezzle
money, and some government officials and political office holder does not even
believe in the existence of the virus.
The danger with these misleading narratives is that it cuts across all
classes and collectively, the promoters do not adhere to preventive measures to
stop the spread of the disease. It is even more dangerous when they have a
considerable number of followers on social media platforms and a few clicks can
gather a million views in as little as two hours. Since it is almost futile to
dissuade them, we can do several things to hinder the spread of these fallacies.
Therefore, this study was greatly in support of the conspiracy theory as there are
many conspiracy surrounding the existence of covid-19.
2.8 Theoretical Framework of Literature Review
This research is anchored on the Conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories
are attempts to explain the ultimate causes of significant social and political
events and circumstances with claims of secret plots by two or more powerful
actors (Aaronovitch, 2010)
Conspiracy Theory is an explanation for an event or situation that invokes
a conspiracy by sinister and powerful groups, often political in motivation. The
conspiracy theory that is created around the phenomenon serves as a rebuttal of
the actual event and the promoters take comfort in their minds that the
alternative explanations they have created are actually the real deal. Usually,

18
they center the conspiracy theory surrounding a chosen villain or scapegoat as
the one behind all the woes of the extant phenomenon. Conspiracy theories
allow the fears and anxieties of people to distil into some finite, plausible
explanations that they can control even though it may sound improbable. These
interpretations provide a safety net against the backdrop of the unexplainable,
anxiety-inducing events around them.

Application of Conspiracy Theory of Covid-19

Conspiracy theories are not usually carried by mainstream media but are
prominently featured on social media platforms.
The conspiracy theory around the emergence of Covid-19 is that the virus
escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan, China and that it was man-made. Senator
Tom Cotton of Arkansas has publicly suggested that the virus escaped from a
high-security biochemical lab in Wuhan, China. Scientists have sequenced the
virus and determined it was not man-made. Another high-profile name that has
joined this band of conspiracy theorists is President Trump. He strongly
suggested that he had evidence the virus came from the Wuhan Institute of
Virology. The American National Intelligence Agency was quick to debunk
Trump’s insinuations.
In Nigeria, there has been a lot of conspiracy theory in display, especially
in one of the selected study area, Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr.
Haruna in AdewaleKupoluyi (2020) “the state was under intense pressure to say
otherwise by declaring that it had COVID-19 cases and vowed that it would not
succumb to such pressure”. The commissioner alleged that the aim of those
involved was to politicize the situation and discredit the high rating of the state
on its health achievements as attested to by local and international observers.
The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello added that the state should not be
inundated with much panic and fears about the corona virus as if the world was

19
coming to an end, saying that focus should now be on the myriads of problems
plaguing the country.
According to Bello (2020) on Television Continental (TVC), “Nigeria had
lost fewer people to COVID-19 than to other serious national challenges such as
Boko Haram terrorists, kidnappers, cattle rustlers, road accidents, hunger,
malaria, and child mortality, among others”. While NCDC (2020) also hold on to
the belief that the state has a lot of Covid-19 cases but the state was hiding her
records. However, some major news outlets initially suggested that the virus was
man-made in a lab in China or that it was a plot by the Chinese to dominate the
world and some Nigerian beliefs that the states that declare are only doing so to
access financial support from the federal government and the international
bodies. These media outlets have since put away such thoughts. The proponents
of these theories belief in their ideas. Trying to dissuade them will only serve as
proof to consolidate their belief.
2.9 Gap in Literature
In the course of carrying out this study, a lot literatures were reviewed,
and it was discovered that none of the literatures reviewed has assess the effect
of covid-19 pandemic on Nigerian economy in connection with conspiracy theory
of Covid-19 and none as well review the belief of Kogi State Residence of covid-
19, hence this study intends to cover this gap in Literature.

20
CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
A research design is a systematic plan to study a scientific problem. This
research aimed at assessment of the effect of covid-19 on Nigerian economy,
using Lokoja Local government as case study. This research was carried out
using both primary and secondary method of data collection. In carrying out this
research, the researcher decided to use field survey approach, by moving around
the study area.
3.2 Area of the Study
The area of study is Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria
located in the North Central of the country. Lokoja is a city in Nigeria. It lies at
the confluence of the Niger and Benuerivers and is the capital of Nigeria's Kogi
State.
3.3 Population of the Study
The population of this study comprises of all the staff of Lokoja local
Government council which is summed up to 621. (2016 Kogi State Screening
Report)
3.4 Sample size and Sampling Techniques
Sample of (372) three hundred and seventy-two was selected from the
entire population and were administered questionnaire. The sampled size was
selected by random sampling methods. Random sampling was employed in order
to give every member of the population equal chance of been chosen.

3.5 Instrument for Data Collection

In other to have a comprehensive research work on the subject under
discussion, the data shall be gotten from two (2) sources:

21
  Primary source of data collection comprises of the distribution of
questionnaire, and personal interview with the respondents.
 Secondary source of data collection includes: the use of text books,
seminar papers, professional journals, newspaper and magazines and of
course the internet.
The researcher shall use a well-structured and standardized questionnaire to
collect response from the respondents and some secondary source of data
collection such as books, journal, internet and so on.
3.6 Validation of Instrument
Personal interview and questionnaire were used for the research work. It is
valid because, a pilot study was conducted on fifteen (15) people. The validity
has also been attested by an expert in the department of Statistics (statistician)
Kogi State Polytechnic and also outside the school premises and attested to it
that the instrument to be used will yield a valid and reliable result.
The questionnaire used for this research work was validated by test retest phase
validity and was found applicable for the research work.
3.7 Reliability of Instrument
The research instrument was found to be reliable when conducted a pre
assessment (pilot study) on some sample of 15 respondents. The reliability was
0.68 while the retest has the reliability of 0.69 and the difference the test retest
was 0.01 which means that the instrument is reliable for this research work.
3.8 Method of Data Analysis.
In the process of carrying out this research work, the data collected
through responses on questionnaire shall be analyzed and interpreted with the
used of percentages. Data collected from respondents and those obtained from
questionnaire shall be analyzed on percentage basis.

22
 This helps us to assign and give percentage height to each alternative in
order to make a good comparative analysis and to choose the highest
percentage.

23
CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis
This chapter presents and analyzed the primary data that was gathered in the
course of the research work. A total number of 372 (three hundred and seventy-
two) questionnaires were sent out, three hundred and sixty (360) of them were
dully completed and returned valid for the study, the analysis were done based
on the returned questionnaires using simply percentage method for easy
understandings.
Table 4.1 Distribution based on Marital status

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Married 298 83
Single 62 17

Divorce/widow - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above is a distribution of marital status of respondents; the married
were 17%, while the single were 83%. This specified that the married one
has the highest frequency in terms of respondents.
Table 4.2 Distribution of Respondents by Age
Variables (Age) Frequency Percentage %
20-30 151 42
31-40 170 47
41-50 28 8
51 and above 10 3
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above shows the age distribution of respondents. 42% were
between the age range of 20-30years, 47% were within 31-40years, 8% were
24
 within 41-50years, while 3% were 50years and above. This implies that
majority of the respondents were with the age bracket of 31-40years.
Table 4.3 Distribution of Respondent by Gender Differences

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Male 288 80

Female 72 20

Total 360 100%

Source: Field survey, 2021

The above table shows the sex distribution of respondents, 80% were male
while 20% were female. This shows that the male respondents has the highest
frequency.
Table 4.4 Distribution of Respondents based on Educational Level
Variables Frequency Percentage %

OLEVEL 144 40

ND/NCE 126 35

BSc/HND 72 20

Post Graduate 18 5

Total 360 100%

Source: Field survey, 2021
The above table shows the educational Level of respondents; it was revealed
that 40% were Olevel holder, 35% were ND/NCE holder, 20% were BSc/HND
holder, while 5% were Post Graduate holder. This implies that the majority of
the respondents were Olevel holder.
Table 4.5 Religion of Respondents

Variables Frequency Percentage %

25
 Christian 173 48
Muslim 187 52
Others - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above shows the religion of respondents, it was revealed that 48% of
the respondents were Christian, while 52% were Muslim. This implies that there
are more Muslim respondents compare to Christian and the other religion
Table 4.6 Does Covid-19 really exist as claimed?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Yes 324 90
No 36 10

Undecided - -
Total 380 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that 90% of the respondents said yes that covid-19
really exist as claimed, while 10% said no. This implies that majority of the
respondents in the study area believed that covid-19 really exists.
Table 4.7 Does the Lockdown and restriction of movement has any
effect on business activities?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Yes 360 100
No - -

Undecided - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that 100% respondents representing all the
respondents agreed that the Lockdown and restriction of movement has effect

26
on business activities. This implies that Lockdown and restriction of movement
has significant effect on business activities in the study.
Table 4.8 Is Covid-19 pandemic reason for the Lockdown and
restriction of movement?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Yes 360 100
No - -

Undecided - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that all the respondents representing 100% said they
agree that Corona Virus pandemic was the reason for the Lockdown and
restriction of movement in Nigeria. This implies that all the respondents
acknowledge that covid-19 pandemic was reason for the Lockdown and
restriction of movement.
Table 4.9 To what extent is the effect of lockdown and restriction of
movement due to Covid-19 pandemic on business activities?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Very Great Extent 306 85
Great Extent 36 10

Some Extent 18 5

No Extent - -

Undecided - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that 85% of the respondents said the effect of
lockdown and restriction of movement due to Covid-19 pandemic on business
activities is to a very great extent, 10% said to great extent, while 5% said to
27
some extent. This implies that the effect of lockdown and restriction of
movement due to Covid-19 pandemic on business activitiesis to a very great
extent
Table 4.10 Is the Effect, positive or negative on business activities?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Positive 32 9
Negative 324 90

Undecided 4 1
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that 9% of the respondents said that the effect of
lockdown and restriction of movement on business activities is positive, 90% said
it was negative, while 1% were undecided. This implies that effect of lockdown
and restriction of movement on business activities is negative.
Table 4.11 Does covid-19 pandemic has any significant effect on
employee’s performance?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Yes 360 100
No - -

Undecided - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that all the respondents representing 100% said yes
that covid-19 pandemic has significant effect on employee’s performance. This
implies that covid-19 pandemic has significant effect on employee’s performance
in the study area.
Table 4.12 Is the Effect, positive or negative on employees’
performance?

28
 Variables Frequency Percentage %
Positive - -
Negative 360 100

Undecided - -
Total 360 100%
Source: Field survey, 2021
The table above revealed that 100% respondents said that the covid-19
pandemic has negative effect on employees’ performance. This implies covid-19
has negative effect on employees’ performance. And in the course of oral
interview with some of the respondents, it was revealed that one of the effect
was that salary were not paid during the lockdown.
Table 4.13 What are the measures in place to curb the spread of covid-
19 apart from Lockdown?

Variables Frequency Percentage %

Washing of hands
Yes 360 100
No -
Total 360 100
Masking

Yes 360 100

No - -

Total 360 100

Hand Sanitizer - -
Yes 360 100
No - -
Total 360 100
Source: Field survey, 2021

29
The table above revealed the questions that was raised concerning the measures
put in place in order to curb the spread of covid-19 pandemic in business
premises in Kogi State. It was revealed that regular hand washing, face masking,
and regular use of hand sanitizer were the major measures put in place in order
to curb the spread of covid-19.

4.2 Discussion of Findings

In the course of carrying out this study, it was revealed that majority of
the respondents believed that corona virus really existed while just very few
person were having faulty believe about the existence of covid-19.
The study revealed that covid-19 pandemic was the reason for the
Lockdown and Restrictions of movement in other to curb the wide of covid-19 in
the country. Lockdown and Restrictions of movement are some of the measures
and protocols put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
impose by the federal government of Nigeria and enforced by Nigerian Police
Force.
The study also revealed that Lockdown due to covid-19 pandemic has
effect of business activities of the study area and that of Kogi State at large. It
was as well reveal that the covid-19 pandemic has negative effect on business
activities to a very great extent. The study further revealed that covid-19 has
significant effect on employees’ performance in the study area. And that one of
the effect is non-payment of salary for the period of lockdown.
Finally, the study further revealed that measures were put in place to curb
the spread of covid-19 pandemic apart from the lockdown and restriction of
movement. And among this measures and protocols are regular handing
washing, using of face mask, using of hand sanitizers and maintaining a social
distancing of at least a meter where necessary.

30
31
 CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
This study is premised on ascertaining the effect of social distancing due
to covid-19 on student performance in educational institutions in Kogi State
using Kogi State Polytechnic as case study. It was discovered that as the world
becomes increasingly interconnected, so do the risks we face. Corona virus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in Wuhan Province China in
December 2019 and has spread throughout the globe.
The social distance and lockdowns in response to COVID-19 have
interrupted conventional schooling with nationwide school closures in Nigeria and
some other countries, the majority lasting at least 30 weeks. While the
educational community has made concerted efforts to maintain learning
continuity during this period, children and students have had to rely more on
their own resources to continue learning remotely through the Internet,
television or radio.
The study broad objective was to assess the effect of social distancing due
to covid-19 on student performance in educational institutions in Kogi State,
while among the specific objectives were to determinetheeffects of covid-19 in
tertiary institutions, determine the challenges of maintaining social distancing
in educational system of Kogi State, determine the teaching and Learning
method adopted during social distancing and lockdown Period by Kogi State
Polytechnic and as well examine Measures put in place in order to curb the
spread of Covid-19 in educational institution.
The study revealed that majority of the respondents believed that corona
virus really existed. The study revealed that covid-19 pandemic was the reason
for the social distancing, Lockdown, and Restrictions of movement in other to
curb the wide of covid-19 in the country. It was observed that social distancing

32
due to covid-19 pandemic has impact of the Educational system of Kogi State
and has well had impact on the teaching and learning method.
The study further revealed that measures were put in place by educational
institutions to curb the spread of covid-19 pandemic. And among this measures
and protocols are regular handing washing, using of face mask, using of hand
sanitizers and maintaining a social distancing of at least a meter. But most of the
respondents in the course of oral interview on one on one, made it known that
very few people adhere to this protocols and that social distancing cannot be
observed in the study area due to population of admitted students to different
department and schools like school of management for example.
Finally, the study revealed that there are lot of challenges in maintaining
social distance in the study area among which is due to the number or
population of students admitted to the school and this made all the lecture halls
congested during lectures.

5.2 Conclusion
Due to the finding reached in the course of this study, it could be
concluded that corona virus really existed, covid-19 pandemic was the reason for
the social distancing, Lockdown, and Restrictions of movement in other to curb
the wide of covid-19 in the country. Social distancing due to covid-19 pandemic
has impact of the Educational system of Kogi State and has well had impact on
the teaching and learning method. It was noted that measures were put in place
by educational institutions to curb the spread of covid-19 pandemic. And among
this measures and protocols are regular handing washing, using of face mask,
using of hand sanitizers and maintaining a social distancing of at least a meter.
But most of the respondents in the course of oral interview on one on one, made
it known that very few people adhere to this protocols and that social distancing

33
cannot be observed in the study area due to population of admitted students to
different department and schools like school of management for example.
Finally, the study revealed that there are challenges in maintaining social
distance in the study area among which is due to the number or population of
students admitted to the school and this made all the lecture halls congested
during lectures.
5.3 Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
 That the educational institutions in Kogi state should enforce the Covid-19
protocols (such as regular hand washing, using of hand sanitizer and
using of face mask) on both students and staffs.
 There should be sensitization for the general public on the reality of
covid-19 pandemic most especially the Polytechnic community.
 Government should establish support centers for household and business
organizations in other for them to survive the post covid-19 pandemic.
 Government should empower tertiary institution more on information
technology facilities, so as to enable staffs and students get more familiar
to e-learning and online training.
 The security personnels should be cautioned on their demand for bribe
from travelers during restriction of movement, so has to curb the spread
of the corona virus.
 The tertiary institutions in Kogi State should try and reduce the number of
their student in-take, so as to give room for social distancing.

34
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