Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Student Academic Performance in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in notable obstacles and disturbances in multiple domains, including the realm of education. In an unprecedented endeavour to stop the virus’s spread, educational institutions across the globe were compelled to close their physical classrooms and switch to online instruction. The abrupt transition to remote learning has had a significant effect on students’ general wellbeing and academic achievement. The study employed quantitative approach, specifically utilising survey method. Using snowballing sampling 350 respondents were selected from seven institutions in the study areas. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Finding shows that the loss of in-person interactions with peers and teachers is one of the main effects of the epidemic on students’ academic performance. The findings reveal that the pandemic has negatively impacted Nigeria’s educational sector and economic development, it is argued amongst others that the failure of Nigeria to make adequate provisions for an unforeseen contingency like pandemic periods has significant negative impact on education in Nigeria; Pandemic also reduce the graduate turnout of higher institutions in Nigeria, therefore, schools will need resources to build facilities to prepare for e-learning and distance learning during such occurrence. A traditional classroom setting makes it feasible to receive real-time feedback and get clarification on doubts, which is crucial for the best learning outcomes. However, it could be challenging for students to engage with their teachers in a productive way in virtual learning settings, which could lead to a poor understanding of the subject matter. Inequality in access to technology has the potential to exacerbate the already-existing achievement gap and impede the academic advancement of underprivileged students.