The scourge of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and religious beliefs in Nigeria: matters arising

Abstract

COVID-19 is the most recent deadly disease currently ravaging human lives, causing serious socio-economic hardship and generating different religious responses the world over. The various responses and interpretations given to COVID-19 by religious believers in Nigeria necessitate an appraisal of this subject-matter. Therefore, this essay examines the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and religious beliefs in Nigeria with a view to analyse the responses of religious believers to the outbreak of the disease. Data was obtained from existing literature, media reports and observations. Content, critical and constructive methods of analysis were used for data interpretation. The paper avers that Nigerian religious believers express both positive and negative responses with regards to the outbreak, containment and treatment of COVID-19. While some religious believers acknowledged the reality of corona virus and gave the government necessary assistance in tackling the menace, others denied its reality and formulate different conspiracy theories to fault government actions and scientific solutions regarding the containment and treatment of COVID-19. The paper submits that emerging evidences have shown that COVID-19 is real, as such; Nigerians should create a synergy between religion and science in finding lasting solution to the problems emanating from the outbreak of the disease.