Policy Design, State Capacity and Management of Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe with alarming intensity. Due to its seemingly intractable nature, governments at various levels had to take safety measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus and cushioning its impact. In Nigeria however, lack of preparedness for emergency aggravated the debilitating effects of the deadly disease which have exposed the weak points of policy design, state capacity and institutional mechanisms. Though, federal government adopted mitigation measures through regulatory instruments to minimize the transmission of the virus, the policy responses are not commensurate with the magnitude of the problem, compared to what obtains elsewhere. There were no aggressive measures for early detection and diagnosis targeting individuals with symptoms. Many of the economic compensation packages that were approved to support and sustain people also encountered long administrative delays which are not ideal in an urgent situation as those in charge of the distribution of palliatives failed to grasp the depth of citizens’ deprivation, which requires swift remedial action. As a consequence, people became severely affected and had to pay the supreme price owing to leadership ineptitude. Based on this, the paper recommends well-crafted policy design and implementation; competent leadership; and provision of adequate health care.