Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research - Special Collection: COVID-19 Pandemic Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis of lockdowns in Nigeria: The household food security perspective
Submitted: 14 August 2020 | Published: 31 May 2021
About the author(s)
Lere Amusan, Department of Political Studies and International Relations, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Mafikeng, South AfricaSamuel C. Agunyai, Department of Political Studies and International Relations, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Mafikeng, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: This article argues that the lockdown policy of the Nigerian government, even though had proven to be effective in the control of the spread of the virus, adversely triggers household crises. These crises range from hunger, gender violence, shortage of food, low purchasing power and negative coping strategies. While intellectual resources have been remarkably outspoken about the effect of lockdown on Nigeria’s economy, the implications of the lockdown for household food security crisis have drawn little or no academic attention.
Aim: Given this, the article examines the influence of the lockdown on households’ hunger and coping mechanisms. It further examines the nexus between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and households’ low purchasing power.
Setting: This is with the view to advance adequate strategy for minimising the effects of lockdown on food (in)security in Nigeria.
Method: The article utilized a qualitative, descriptive research method. The article, is theoretical in nature, and drew its arguments from secondary sources, such as journals, books, newspapers, Internet sources, and official documents.
Results: The finding indicates that the lockdown stimulates not only households’ hunger and negative coping habits but also low purchasing power.
Conclusion: The article concludes that equitable and transparent distribution of palliatives is a good strategy capable of addressing households’ food (in)security crisis during Covid-19 lockdown in Nigeria.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6077Total article views: 10732
Crossref Citations
1. Do COVID-19 and Food Insecurity Influence Existing Inequalities between Women and Men in Africa?
Heather VanVolkenburg, Isabelle Vandeplas, Katim Touré, Safiétou Sanfo, Fatoumata Lamarana Baldé, Liette Vasseur
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health vol: 19 issue: 4 first page: 2065 year: 2022
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19042065
2. IMPACTS OF INCOME SHOCKS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION ON RURAL HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD INSECURITY EXPERIENCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN CONFLICT-AFFECTED STATES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Abayomi Samuel Oyekale, Thonaeng Charity Molelekoa
Social Economics issue: 70 first page: 27 year: 2025
doi: 10.26565/2524-2547-2025-70-03
3. Policy impacts in dynamic relation to food, income, learning and security: COVID-19 lockdowns in a Nigerian Agrarian Community
Grace Oluwakemi Awosanmi, Ayodeji Fisayo Afolayan, Mia Perry, George Olusola Ajibade, Sunday Adesola Ajayi
Environment, Development and Sustainability vol: 27 issue: 12 first page: 30799 year: 2024
doi: 10.1007/s10668-024-04938-2
4. Coping Strategies Adopted by Families during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Nsukka Urban Area, Nigeria
Ifeanyi E. Omeje, Chiamaka A. Chukwuone
International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research vol: 1 issue: 2 first page: 419 year: 2022
doi: 10.57012/ijhhr.v1n2.024
5. Pastoral care and counselling in current times: Relevance and context of care
Glenda A. Dames, Gordon E. Dames
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies vol: 81 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.4102/hts.v81i1.10184
6. The impact of COVID-19 on food security in Nigeria: A mini-systematic review
Igba Chimezie Elizabeth, Lawrence Ulu Ogbonnaya, Uneke Chigozie Jesse, Igba Daniel Igba, Ifeanyichukwu Akuma
Malque Health vol: 1 issue: 1 first page: 2026001 year: 2025
doi: 10.31893/health.2025001
7. Assessing the Macroeconomic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Nigerian Economy through the Lens of SIR-Macro Model
Chinedu Anthony Nwosu, Nnamdi Marcus Samuel, Donatus Otaigbe Onogbosele
African Journal of Management and Business Research vol: 18 issue: 1 first page: 106 year: 2025
doi: 10.62154/ajmbr.2025.018.010613
8. Experiences of School Management Teams in Implementing School Feeding Programs in Public Primary Schools in Nigeria During Covid-19
Shakirat Bola Ogunbayo, Nontuthuzelo Mhlanga
Journal of Educational Studies vol: 2024 issue: si2 first page: 305 year: 2024
doi: 10.59915/jes.2024.si2.16
9. Household food systems during lockdown: food diaries of Filipino mothers in poor urban and sub-urban households
Melissa Quetulio-Navarra, Anke Niehof
SN Social Sciences vol: 4 issue: 7 year: 2024
doi: 10.1007/s43545-024-00919-4
10. Effect of social assistance and coping mechanisms on dietary diversity in rural Chad during the COVID-19 pandemic
Thonaeng Charity Molelekoa, Abayomi Samuel Oyekale
Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition vol: 20 issue: 5 first page: 731 year: 2025
doi: 10.1080/19320248.2025.2477558
11. The Impact of Corona Virus (COVID-19) on Food Security and Associated Factors Among Households in Yeki District, Sheka Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Yibeltal Alemayehu, Muluye Alemneh, Daniel Yemane
Advances vol: 6 issue: 2 first page: 18 year: 2025
doi: 10.11648/j.advances.20250602.11
12. Budgetary Allocations and Government Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa and Nigeria
Agunyai Samuel Chukwudi, Ojakorotu Victor
Journal of Risk and Financial Management vol: 15 issue: 6 first page: 252 year: 2022
doi: 10.3390/jrfm15060252
13. Intra-Lagos migration and spread of COVID-19: revisiting the structural vulnerability theory
Johnson Oluwole Ayodele, Oluwagbemiga Adeyemi, Jane Roli Adebusuyi
Cogent Social Sciences vol: 10 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/23311886.2023.2298095