By Foster Obi
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has given the harrowing impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the lives of Nigerian households since the disease found its way into the country. A recent survey by the Bureau showed the impact of the virus on the health, finance and work life of Nigerians
The survey revealed that 42% of respondents who were working before the outbreak were no longer working the week preceding the interview for reasons related to COVID-19. The poorest households (from the lowest consumption quintile) reported the highest share who stopped working (45%) but the rate was also high for the wealthiest households (39%).A high rate of households reported income loss since mid-March. 79% of households reported that their total income decreased. Income from all sources were affected by the pandemic and reported to have decreased since mid-March.
However, the rate was highest for income from non-farm family business (85%) compared to household farming, livestock or fishing (73%) and wage employment (58%).Workers in all sectors were affected by the pandemic, but primarily those working in commerce, services and agriculture.
14% of respondents were working in the commerce sector before the outbreak but have since stopped working due to COVID-19. This is equivalent to 60% of all those working in the sector prior to the pandemic. In all sectors, respondents that stopped working reported that COVID-19 related economic impacts were the primary cause.
Many in the country are concerned about the health and financial impacts of the pandemic. 78% of respondents were worried about themselves or their family members becoming seriously ill from the coronavirus, while 92% saw the coronavirus as a threat to their household’s finances. The impact on employment and income has also been widespread, the survey reported.
