Applicability of emergency management theory in the management of Covid-19 health pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

Emergency has become a global reoccurrence and when it occurs in a country, the government usually adopt measures to curtail the negative effects of the phenomenon. COVID-19 as the present global emergency needs to be tackled with proper and effective management measures. The principles of Emergency Management Theory are among the global highly rated and most common measures used to tackle emergencies to achieve minimal effect on lives and economies. It is based on the above statements that this study examined the Application of the principles of Emergency Management Theory in the Federal Government of Nigeria‟s management of COVID-19 to ascertain the extent the Federal Government is utilizing the theory‟s principles in its fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. The study utilized the secondary method of data collection and used observations and documents as its tools of evaluation. The study found that the principles of Emergency Management Theory have been applied by the Federal Government in the management of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The study concludes that the application of the principles Emergency Management Theory in the management of COVID-19 has greatly enhanced Government‟s efforts in the fight against the disease in Nigeria. To improve on emergency management in Nigeria, the study recommended that: Individual researchers and research institutes be supported to develop more proactive ways of dealing with emergencies in the country and Nigerians should all be re-orientated and sensitized on how to prevent, respond and deal with emergencies.