Evaluating the Covid 19 Lockdown in Nigeria, from a Human Right Perspective

The outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in the implementation of various measures by governments across the world to curb the spread of the virus. In Nigeria, one of the measures implemented was a lockdown, which aimed to restrict movement and enforce social distancing. While the lockdown may have been necessary to prevent the spread of the virus, it also had significant impacts on the human rights of Nigerians. This paper evaluates the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria from a human rights perspective. Specifically, it examines the impact of the lockdown on the rights to life, health, education, freedom of movement, and livelihoods. The paper also considers the measures put in place by the Nigerian government to mitigate the negative impacts of the lockdown on its citizens. The study employs the use of primary and secondary sources, using interviews with key stakeholders, as well as a review of existing literature on the topic. The findings of the study highlight the significant challenges faced by Nigerians during the lockdown, particularly the vulnerable populations. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for a human rights-based approach in the implementation of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.