Disruptions of Academic Activities in Nigeria: University Lecturers’ Perceptions and Responses to the COVID-19

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the different layers of vulnerabilities within systems across different political, socio-economic, educational and cultural contexts, so much that even the most advanced economies are struggling to check the impact of the ravaging Corona virus. However, not much is known about the impact of the disruptions in higher educational systems in developing contexts particularly in Nigeria. This study adopted a qualitative research design using a validated semi-structured interview to provide evidence-based data on the impact of the pandemic on the university system from the university lecturers’ perspectives. Using purposive and snowballing techniques, seven lecturers in five universities located in three geographical zones of Nigeria were interviewed using the Zoom and Skype platforms. The results of this study show that COVID-19 had a huge negative impact on the university system in Nigeria. Nonetheless, there are a few exceptions as a few universities within the study switched to alternative teaching medium to mitigate the disruptions thus, underscoring the potentials for a more responsive higher education system. The paper discussed the limitations, and future directions that may be drawn from the study.