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EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN UNIVERSITY

OF ABUJA

Experiment Findings · April 2023

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EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN UNIVERSITY
OF ABUJA
Emenike, Kyrian Chima
DE-Homeland Edu & Tech, Gwagwalada FCT Abuja; anakyco@gmail.com

Abstract: The study investigated the effect of Covid-19 on student academic achievement in
university of Abuja. The researcher adopted survey research design, The Population of the Study
comprised all 14, 000 undergraduate students of University of Abuja the sample size comprised
of 600 students drawn from different faculties of University of Abuja using Proportionate sampling
technique, The instrument of the study was questionnaire and percentage and mean score were
used in data analysis. The finding of the study indicated that covid-19 school lock-down effected
the semester exams, the graduation of final students, admission of new students into the University.
It also affected the academic calendar of the school and disrupts teaching and learning. From the
result of the findings it recommends that university of Abuja should come up with academic plans
that will help the students to cover the academic vacuum covid19 created.

Keywords: Corona Virus, Covid-19, School Lock down, Academic Calendar

I. Introduction
World Health Organization (WHO), state that corona viruses are a family of viruses that cause
illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) and the middle fast respiratory syndrome (MERS).These viruses were
originally transmitted from animals to people. SARS, for instance, was transmitted from civet cats
to humans while MERS moved to humans from a type of camel. Several known corona have been
viruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. The name corona virus comes
from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, they looks
like it is surrounded by a solar corona. The novel corona virus, identified by china authorities on
7th January 2020 and since named SARS-CoV-2, is a new strain that had not been previously
identified in humans. There Little is known about it, although human-to-human transmission has
been confirmed (Ajazeera, 2020).
Chinese Health Authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say
likely, came from a seafood market in Wuhan, China where wildlife was also traded illegally. On
7th January 2020, China’s researchers said the virus could have spread from an infected animal
species to humans through illegally-trafficked pangolins, which are prized in Asia for food and
medicine. Scientists have pointed to either bats or snakes as possible sources of the virus
According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, and shortness of breath and
breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and
even death. Current estimates of the incubation period - the time between infection and the onset

1
of symptoms - range from 1 to 14 days. Most infected people show symptoms within five to six
days. However, infected patients can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not display any
symptoms despite having the virus in their systems (Ajazeera, 2020).
The number of fatalities from the new corona virus has overwhelmingly surpassed the toll of the
2002-2003 SARS outbreaks, which also originated in China. SARS killed about 9 percent of those
it infected - nearly 800 people worldwide and more than 300 in China alone. MERS, which did
not spread as widely, was more deadly, killing one-third of those infected. Between April 4 2020,
and March 2021, 2,610, 563 people worldwide have died of COVID-19, the highly infectious
respiratory disease caused by the corona virus.
Countries across the World have in quick succession announced the closure of their schools
and universities for a minimum of 6 months in order to curtail the spread of the COVID-19
virus which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. But
authorities in many of the countries acknowledged that closures could last much longer.
The closures came thick and fast this week after the number of cases began to rise several weeks
after countries in North East Asia including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China – where
the virus originated – closed their educational institutions between February and March, 2020
Although, Educational institutions gradually reopening in any of the countries in the region,
which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) directed all educational institutions
in Nigeria to shut down and allow students to go home as cases of reported COVID-19 increased
. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, told reporters on
19 March 2020 that the directive was part of the country’s overall strategy to contain the spread
of the virus. Nigeria joins the growing list of countries in Africa which have closed schools
and universities. However on the April first 2021, 106 new confirmed cases and 1 death was
recorded in Nigeria as at May 2021 , although investigation of new cases are still on going as of
the time this research is being carried out . A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre
(EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.
(NCDC,2020). Prior off NUC’s directive, ASUU had embarked on two strike on March 9, 2020.
ASUU’s strike become full blow definite strike, effective from march 21, 2020 .

However In compliance with the federal government directives that all educational institutions
should be shut down to curtail the spread of COVID-19 virus. The school shut down it academic
activities on march 21 2020.

1.1 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Covid-19 on student academic achievement
in university of Abuja.

The specific objectives of this study includes;

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 i. Asses the effects of COVID-19 school lock-down on student academic achievement
in university of Abuja
ii. To find out the non-pharmaceutical Intervention university management adopt to
curtail the spread of Covid-19 among students
iii. To find out if management of university of Abuja adopts online teaching as alternative
to conventional teaching
1.2 Research Questions
i. What are the effects of COVID-19 school lock-down on student academic achievement in
university of Abuja ?
ii. What are the non-pharmaceutical measures university management adopt to curtail the spread
of Covid-19 among students
iii. Does the management of university of Abuja adopts online teaching as alternative to
conventional teaching

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Overview of Covid-19
The name corona virus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an
electron microscope, the looks like it is surrounded by a solar corona. The novel corona virus,
identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and since named SARS-CoV-2, is a new strain that
had not been previously identified in humans. (WHO 2020) Little is known about it, although
human-to-human transmission has been confirmed. Chinese health authorities are still trying to
determine the origin of the virus, which they say likely, came from a seafood market in Wuhan,
China where wildlife was also traded illegally. On February 7, Chinese researchers said the virus
could have spread from an infected animal species to humans through illegally-trafficked
pangolins, which are prized in Asia for food and medicine ( https://www.afro.who.int/regional-
director/speeches-messages/opening-statement-Covid-19- press-conference-7-may-2020) .
Scientists have pointed to either bats or snakes as possible sources of the virus. According to the
WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, and shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and even death. Current
estimates of the incubation period - the time between infection and the onset of symptoms - range
from one to 14 days. Most infected people show symptoms within five to six days. However,
infected patients can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not display any symptoms despite
having the virus in their systems.

2.2 Covid-19 in Nigeria.

On 27 February, Nigeria confirmed its first case in Lagos State, an Italian citizen who works in
Nigeria had returned on 25 February from Milan, Italy through the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, fell ill on 26 February and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity
Facilities for isolation and testing. ( https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061322) Presently,

3
Nigeria is having 159,967 Covid-19 cases, 1,393 death and 135,831 recovered. In order to contain
the spread of the virus in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education directed all educational
institutions in Nigeria to shut down and allow students to go home as cases of reported COVID-
19 increased.

2.3 Effect of Covid-19 school lock-down on student academic achievement

The researcher Observes that the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 all over the world has disturbed
the academic, political, social, economic, religious and financial structures of the whole world.
World’s topmost economies such as the US, China, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and many
others are at the verge of collapse Besides, Stock Markets around the world have been pounded
and oil prices have fallen off a cliff. In just a week 3.3 million Americans applied for
unemployment and a week later another 6.6 million people started searching for jobs. Also, many
experts on economic and financial matters have warned about the worsening condition of global
economic and financial structure. Such as Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of
International Monitory Fund (IMF), explained that “a recession at least as bad as during the Global
Financial Crisis or worse”. Moreover, Covid-19 is harming the global economy because the world
has been experiencing the most difficult economic situation since World War-II. When it comes
to the human cost of the Coronavirus pandemic it is immeasurable therefore all countries need to
work together with cooperation and coordination to protect the human beings as well as limit the
economic damages. For instance, the lockdown has restricted various businesses such as travelling
to contain the virus consequently this business is coming to an abrupt halt globally. Submits that
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has swept across the globe in the last few weeks and
months has not only had a significant impact on public health, education, society, and the economy
as a whole, (.https://loudounnow.com/2020/03/26/virginia-covid-19-cases-reach-460-28-in-
loudoun/) it has also wreaked havoc to the sporting calendar . In a bid to stem the spread of the
virus, many professional and amateur leagues across all continents and sports took the
unprecedented step to postpone or suspend their seasons on the advice of the CDC to avoid
gatherings of large amounts of people. The researcher Observes that the COVID-19 pandemic and
the measures put in place to contain its diffusion are taking a heavy toll on the tourism sector .
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the COVID-19
pandemic will result in a contraction of the tourism sector by 20% to 30% in 2020. Observes that
No matter where in the world or in which sector, the crisis is having a dramatic impact on the
world’s workforce”, (ILO) said in its latest report. “Policy responses need to focus on providing
immediate relief to workers and enterprises in order to protect livelihoods and economically viable
businesses, particularly in hard-hit sectors and developing countries ” An additional concern is the
fact that in low and middle-income countries, the worst-hit industries and services have a high
proportion of low-wage workers in informal employment, with limited access to health services
and State welfare safety nets. “Without appropriate policy measures, workers face a high risk of
falling into poverty and will experience greater challenges in regaining their livelihoods during the
recovery period”, ILO said in its latest report on the situation. It underscored that around two

4
billion people work informally, most of them in emerging and developing countries, and that “tens
of millions” of informal workers have already been affected by COVID-19.

2.4 Review of Previous Studies

Ogunode (2020) conducted a research on Effects of COVID-19 Schools Close Down on
Academic Programme of Senior Secondary Schools in Abaji Area Council of Federal Capital
Territory Abuja, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised 8 secondary schools in Abaji
out of it 80 teachers were sampled by the researcher using simple random techniques and
questionnaire was the major instrument used by the researcher and he adopted survey research
design The reliability of the instrument was determined through the test re-test method.
Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. Result collected revealed that 80 (100%)
of the respondents strongly agreed that COVID-19 Schools close down would affect the academic
programme of Senior Secondary Schools. However the previous study related to present study on
the bases of both of the studies were primarily focused on the effect of covid-19. But differs
considerably on the location and scope of the study, The precious study investigated effect of
COVID-19 Schools Close Down on Academic Programme of Senior Secondary Schools in Abaji
Area Council of Federal Capital whereas the present study assess the effective of the covid-19 on
student academic Achievement in university of Abuja.

Jegede (2020) carried out empirical research on Perception of Undergraduate Students on the
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Higher Institutions Development in Federal Capital Territory
Abuja, Nigeria , the author adopted the descriptive research design of the survey type. The study
population comprised all higher institutions in FCT, Nigeria. Out of this population, a sample of
two higher institutions was taken and selected through the stratified random sampling technique.
Out of the 2,05,878 undergraduate students, 200 undergraduate students made up of final years
students were selected from the sampled two higher institutions. The method of selection was also
through the stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study
was a questionnaire The reliability of instrument was determined using the test-retest reliability
techniques. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and Chi-square test was used
to test the hypotheses. Result collected and analyzed showed that;100% of the respondents agreed
that Covid-19 pandemic affects the academic calendar of higher institutions. However the previous
study shared considerably similarity with the present study, both of the studies where conducted
in Abuja and subject matter is effect and impact of Covid-19 pandemic however , the precious
study differs slightly from the present study, while the precious study focused on perception of
undergraduate students on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic the present study focus on effect of
Covid-19 on student academic achievement in university of Abuja.
Nonso (2020) conducted empirical research on impact of Covid-19 on school graduation
ceremony. A case of National open university of Nigeria. The population of study comprises all
Nigeria universities, his sample size is 40 universities in Nigeria, he used interview method to
gather data from vice chancellor of 40 universities. The data was analyzed with descriptive
statistics, the major finding of the research revealed that covid-19 affected the graduation

5
ceremony of many universities in Nigeria, the previous study differ from the present study in terms
of scope of coverage while they are shared similarity in terms of title, ie covid-19 is the focus
of both studies .
Chuvvu (2020) conducted a study in Wuhan, China, found that a combination of NPIs including
social distancing, quarantine, traffic restriction and universal symptom survey were temporally
associated with the control of COVID-19. The of the study comprised all chinise, and he adopted
experimental research design, the gap between the previous study and present study is that the
previous study focused only on Non-pharmaceutical intervention , whereas the present study
focused on effect of covid-19 on student academic achievement, meanwhile both studies shared
some similarity in terms of Covid-19 is the subject matter.

Another study in Xuchu (2020) conducted a research on spread of Covid-19 in the world , he
predicted that without the use of NPIs, the COVID-19 outbreak would have had a 67-fold increase
in the number of cases. A report from Europe on the effects of NPIs in Europe estimated that they
were able to prevent over 3 million deaths from COVID-19 across 11 countries on the
continent. This is supported by another modelling study that compared 16 countries around the
world. Assuming a baseline R0 of 2.2, the report estimated that intermittent cycles of mitigation
and relaxation reduced the R0 to 0.8, while intermittent suppression and mitigation reduced
the R0 to 0.5.In the UK, a modelling study showed that school closures, physical distancing,
shielding of at-risk persons and self-isolation were all likely to decrease the but not sufficiently to
prevent intensive care unit demand from existing health services. A limitation of modelling studies
is that they are unable to capture all the transmission dynamics of the infection as they are
predicated on fixed constants for the production of the re

III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

The research design adopted for the study is the survey research design. Survey research design
according to Ben (2005) is a plan structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain
answers to research questions and to control variance. This design was appropriate for this study
because the researcher made use of data collected from the respondents to assess the impact of
COVI-19 on student academic achievement in University of Abuja.

3.2 Population of the Study

The targeted population for this study comprised all undergraduate students of University of Abuja
it includes all faculties and schools .According to the school record, University of Abuja
comprised ten Faculties and two schools and has and has 14, 000 undergraduate students. For
2020/2021 academic section. (https://hotels.ng/places/university/1470-university-of-abuja)

6
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure
A sample size comprised of 600 students drawn from the faculties of University of Abuja .
Proportionate sampling technique was used to select the sample size.

3.4 Instrumentation
The research instrument for this study is questionnaire, titled "Effect of COVID-19 on
Student Academic Achievement in University of Abuja”. sections A required the
respondents to provide their bio-data while Section B items on the questionnaire pattered
on modified likert scale of four points aggregate of Strongly Agreed (4), Agreed (3),
Disagreed (2) and Strongly Disagreed (1)

3.8 Method of Data Analysis

The data collected from the respondents through the aid of the research instrument will be analyzed
statistically using simple percentages for Biodata, and Mean and standard deviation for analysis
of questionnaire using Microsoft Excel Data Tool Analysis.

IV. DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1Answer to Research Questions Research Question One: What are the effect of Covid-19
school lock-down on student academic achievement in University of Abuja.

Table 1: Effect of Covid-19 school lock-down on student academic achievement in University

of Abuja?
S/No Item X- SD Decision

1 Covid-19 effected the semester exams? 3.20 2.79 ACCEPTED

2 Covid-19 t effected the graduation of final 3.22 2.80 ACCEPTED
year students
3 Covid-19 effected admission of new students 3.30 2.88 ACCEPTED
into the university
4 Covid-19 adjudicate the university academic 3.40 2.96 ACCEPTED
calendar
5 Covid-19 disrupted teaching and learning 3.60 2.99 ACCEPTED

Result in Table 1 shows the mean and standard deviations of respondents on the effect of Covid-
19 school lock-down on student academic achievement in University of Abuja. The mean values
of the above items were above 2.50 criterion value. This implies are the effect of Covid-19 school
lock-down on student academic achievement in University of Abuja.

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Research Question Two: What are the non-pharmaceutical measures university
management adopts to curtail the spread of Covid-19 among students?

Table 2, non-pharmaceutical measures university management adopts to curtail the spread

of Covid-19 among students

S/No Statement X- SD DC

1 The university maintained adequate social 3.15 2.77 ACCEPTED

distance
2 The university maintained use of Face marks 3.05 2.67 ACCEPTED
3 The university shut down school activities 3.44 2.97 ACCEPTED
4 The university maintained the use of hand 3.52 3.06 ACCEPTED
sanitize
5 The University encourage Student to 2.91 2.57 ACCEPTED
maintained adequate personal hygiene

Result in Table 2 shows the mean and standard deviations of respondents on the Non-
pharmaceutical measures university management adopted to curtail the spread of Covid-19 among
students. The mean values of the above items were above 2.50 criterion value. This implies that
all items are the non-pharmaceutical measures management of University of Abuja adopted to
curtail the spread of Covid-19 among students.

Research Question Three: Does the Management of university of Abuja adopts online
teaching as alternative to conventional teaching?

Table 3. Online teaching as alternative to conventional teaching in University of Abuja

N 600
S/No Item X- SD DC

1 School authority adopts online teaching as an 1.70 1.38 REJECTED

alternative to classroom teaching
2 School authority use webinar as an alternative to 1.70 1.37 REJECTED
classroom teaching
3 School authority organized zoom classes as 1.61 1.17 REJECTED
alternative to classroom teaching
4 School authority organized virtual examination as 1.55 1.104 REJECTED
an alternative to classroom examination
5 University of Abuja has ICT facilities to encourage 3.20 2.86 ACCEPTED
online study.

8
Result in Table 3 shows the mean and standard deviations of respondents on Online teaching as
alternative to conventional teaching in University of Abuja, The mean values of items 1,2,3,4 were
below 2.50 criterion value. This implies that the University of Abuja did not adopt any online
teaching during Covid-19 school lock-down, although item 5 mean value is above 2.50 criterion
value, it implies that university of Abuja has ICT Facilities.

4.2 Summary of Major Finding

 Covid-19 school lock-down effected, the semester exams, the graduation of final student,
admission of new students into the University of Abuja. Affects the academic calendar of
the school and disrupts teaching and learning.
 non-pharmaceutical measures university management adopts to curtain the spread of
cocid19 among students are; social distance of 2 m, use of face marks, use of hand sanitize
and as well encourage students to adopt personal hygiene.
 According to the finding the school authority did not adopts online teaching as an
alternative to conventional teaching, and the school authority did not use webinar, neither
organized zoom class, the school authority did not organized virtual class and virtual
examinations that served as an alternative to classroom examination, although the finding
revealed that the school has ICT Facilities but it was not used to run online classes during
Covid-19 school lock-down.

V. Conclusion:
The study assessed the effect of Covid-19 school lock-down on student academic achievement in
University of Abuja. Based on the finding of the study , the main objective stated, had been
achieved, considering the fact that reasonable number of the respondents accepted that covid-19
school lock down really effected student academic achievement as the mean score was above
criteria value of 2.50. Covid-19, particularly affected semester examination, admission of new
students, graduation of final year students, also it adjusted academic calendar of university of
Abuja.

VI. Recommendations
From the result of the findings, the following recommendations were made:

i. University of Abuja should come up with academic plans that will help the students to
cover the academic vacuum Covid-19 created
ii. Management of University of Abuja should expand its ICT Facilities in order embrace
online education as an alternative to conventional education in case of unprecedented
occurrence
iii. Other institutions in Nigeria should collaborate with university of Abuja to research
on vaccine for Covid-19 with will be generally accepted by all Nigerians

9
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