Government Responses During and Post Covid-19: Implications for Good Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

Government responses to the needs of its citizens is core in good governance and therefore, it is pertinent to access the state of governance in Nigeria during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using lockdown, social distancing and palliatives policies in the evaluation during this period. The study examined government responses during COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for good governance in Nigeria. The study adopted documentary method for review of relevant literatures on conceptual discourse. The study adopted structural-functional theory to explain the phenomenon of the study. The study identified lack of commitment or political will on the part of leaders, poor funding of healthcare facilities and low wages of health workers; corruption in the public sector and amongst political office holders as set-backs to good governance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommended provision and accessibility of food assistance to the poor and vulnerable in an event of lockdown due to a pandemic, government needs to ensure members of the public comply with the social distancing policy due to the persistence of the COVID-19; government should also ensure that what is due of the people is given to them to avoid social upheavals.