Dependent Economy, Corruption and Mismanagement of Covid-19 Pandemic

The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic exposed Nigerian miserable healthcare architecture; inequality in access to education, health and other infrastructural facilities; corruption; and low institutional capacity that can provide structures for social welfare and good governance. The paper explored how the above Nigerian dynamics engendered the mismanagement of corona virus experience. This reflects in the inability of the economy to fund the COVID-19 therapeutic measures; the opaqueness in the distribution of palliatives and economic stimulus packages. These views were espoused within the framework of political economy. The paper adopted a descriptive survey research design through the exploration of secondary data. The data were subjected to rigorous content analysis for validity and reliability. The findings showed that the nature of the Nigerian state, the Nigerian economy; and the Nigerian institutions have combined to undermine a robust response to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The way forward lay in creating an economy that can provide buffers against the shocks of COVID-19 as well as creating a post COVID-19 stable self sustaining socio-economic and political society that is contingent on: equitable, and just society; a self-reliant economy; a patriotic ruling class and strong institutions that can withstand the pressures of political desperados from the society.