lfrCovid 19

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria

Summary

The aim of this study was to document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CSOs’ operations. It further sought to identify areas where CSOs need to shore up their capacities and how to go about it.
Also, the study explores how WACSI can facilitate support to CSOs as well as specific areas where CSOs themselves need to internally reform. Eighty (80) CSOs participated in the study.
Findings revealed that lockdowns, border closures, physical and social distancing protocols
and bans on public gatherings, placed unimaginable strains on CSOs and their beneficiaries.
COVID-19 also exposed their overdependence on donors, shrunken reserves and weak
technological infrastructure which were direly needed to stay afloat during the pandemic.
In ensuring the survival of CSOs in the country, leading actors like WACSI must provide leadership, support and coordination in expanding resources and upscaling CSOs’ capacities with more in-country and regional networks of CSOs through which organisations can share experiences, learn from one another and support each other.

Review by Wilde Ganzen

This study provides valuable insights how a small selection of Nigerian CSOs, of very different size and thematic focus, had to adapt and respond to the sudden impact of the pandemic. Apart from many problems, there is also a positive conclusion: “The pandemic has also revealed the benefits that can accrue to the government from CSOs’ influence and global connections. Some of these advantages are trust and credibility, reach, capacity to mobilise external support and public confidence.” (page 35)

Keywords

COVID-19 Civil Society Organisations

Author: Dr. Gbemisola Abdul-Jelil Animasawun

Publisher/source/organization: West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

Place and year of issue: Accra, Ghana 2021

Type: Research report

Country/region: Nigeria

More information

The Research report >>