COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Fractures in Nigeria: Challenge to Public Policy Framing

Abstract

In response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, the first primary and immediate response of countries all over the world, including Nigeria, has been to introduce series of protocol, including lockdown ( and its “relaxation”), and other public heath guidelines on the large section of the population and business activities, as attempts to reduce the spread of the pandemic. However, implicated in the lockdown protocols has also been “irreparable damage” on the people, and their socio-economic activities; unleashing twin problems of deprivation and anxiety, for people in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). The paper analyses and provides a critical understanding of current dimensions and implications of COVID-19 pandemic on the lives and livelihood of a particular category of Nigerian population refers to as vulnerable group. It evaluates the current policy response and intervention programs of public authority in Nigeria, in mitigating the impact of the crisis. Evidence continue to show that strict lockdown directives not only affect social life of the people, but more significantly, with dire consequences on their livelihood.