[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone. Sadly, not every country has been given the amount of attention that it deserves. That is exactly what has happened in the case of Nigeria. Much of the attention from the pandemic has been focused on the United States, Europe, and Asia. Even though these parts of the world have certainly been hit hard by the pandemic, Africa has largely been overlooked. Therefore, it is important to take a closer look at the impact of COVID-19 on Nigeria.
The Numbers: Looking at Nigeria and the Coronavirus Pandemic
According to the numbers, Nigeria has been hit hard by the pandemic, but just as everyone else has. Right now, Nigeria appears to be adding between 100 and 200 cases per day. Over the summer, Nigeria was adding as many as eight hundred cases per day. Out of a total of close to 60,000 cases, Nigeria has had more than 1,000 deaths. Most of the cases in Nigeria have been located in Lagos, one of the largest cities in the country. As a result, Nigeria has had to take drastic measures to deal with the pandemic, similar to numerous other countries. This has had an impact on the country, leading to not only a Public Health crisis but an economic one as well.
A Drastic Impact on the Nigerian Economy
The Nigerian economy has been struggling mightily in the wake of the pandemic. For a country that was already struggling in the past, this is not something that is going to do it any favors. Furthermore, some of the largest companies and Nigeria have been pulling out. According to one recent news article, “the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Chevron was planning on downsizing its workforce by about 25 percent.” Clearly, this is going to have a significant impact on the individuals and families who live in Nigeria. This is a country that cannot afford to take any more economic hits. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how the government responds.
Other Companies Could Be Next
Even though Chevron pulling out of Nigeria is a bad sign, they could be far from the only company to do so. The reality is that Nigeria does not have the same type of infrastructure as Europe, Asia, and North America. Even though Nigeria is one of the most developed countries in Africa, it is likely not going to recover as quickly as other parts of the world. Therefore, other companies may also take a look at Nigeria and think that the country is going to take too long to recover.
What Can Be Done To Help This Country?
Right now, the world has to stick together, step up, and support those in need. Therefore, it is important to look at what can be done to help Nigeria. First, this country deserves more attention. Second, this could be an opportunity for companies to invest in Nigeria with so many people looking for work. These simple steps can go a long way toward helping this country recover.
