SUMMARY
With the entry of the pandemic into Africa and subsequently Nigeria, the Nigerian government led by the Ministry of Health, with the assistance of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), swung into action. They implemented various restrictions in order to curb the spread of the virus. Although their efforts and attempts were applaudable, Nigeria gradually entered into the community transmission phase that caused her to see cases no longer arising from travel returnees but, from people with no epidemiological connection and incomplete information. So, the lockdowns began in various states.
Government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of its citizens, especially in their various businesses. The lockdowns, restrictions, bans and harassment by government officers hindered the activities of businesses in the nation. Aside this, the COVID-19 pandemic did take its toll on the economy with a fall in oil revenues and private remittances. This caused the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (MFBNP) to re-examine the national budget and make adjustments to it. While this was going on, the citizens of the nation were being hit, not just by COVID-19 but, by the Federal and State Governments with their enforcement of the lockdown policies.
