Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Trade and Intercommunity Relations in the Hinterland and Borderland of Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pandemic that has engaged the attention of humanity because it is a disaster that had produced unprecedented negative impact on human society all over the world. It has been declared a pandemic with a devastating effect on human lives and the economies of nations. The impact of COVID-19 on economies and societies of Africa has complicated the existing socioeconomic crisis on the continent which is difficult to predict the end of it. The imposition of prolong lockdowns by governments in Africa in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 only led to economic hardships, hunger, more diseases and deprivation in many communities. The ease of lockdowns led to the opening of national economies of African countries which had produced impact in different ways and dimensions. We should not forget the serious devastating impact of the pandemic on the means of livelihood among the poor in sub-Saharan Africa. African countries were expected to come up with inward looking strategies and collaborate with other countries of the world to find common solutions to the challenge of COVID-19, which would facilitate economic revival and sustained prosperity in Africa. This paper discusses some of the socioeconomic challenges of COVID-19 and their impact on some communities in northern Nigeria and the borderlands of Niger Republic.