Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Economic Activity and the Spread of the Virus in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to examine economic impact of COVID-19 in Ekiti state, Nigeria. which were formulated to guide the study. One hundred and twenty (n=120) Ado-Ekiti local government staff were randomly selected for the study and questionnaire was used for data collection. Random sampling technique was used to select the population size. The questionnaires were filled and returned to the researcher and data collected was presented and analysed using simple percentage. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical method. The study revealed among others that COVID-19 had severe impact on the economy of Ado-Ekiti, and total lockdown policies adopted to curb the spread of COVID-19 had significant impact on economy of Ado-Ekiti. There is reduction in the economic development of Ekiti state which has affected the finance since the family income depends on the economic growth of any country, most of the families in Ekiti State are experiencing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic lockdown; some of the vulnerable families having their children under the federal government free feeding scheme are being faced with the challenge of going in search of food for their children while they are with them at home. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made. The State government should dedicate substantial portion of funds to cushion the hardship suffered by their citizens particularly the vulnerable ones. In addressing these daunting economic challenges, the current considerations to revise the budget downward is inevitable.