Impact of COVID-19 on the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises in northeast Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the impact of covid-19 pandemic on the performance of micro, small andmedium enterprises in Northeast Nigeria. The research employed primary method of data collection using 90 selected Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Bauchi state as sample. The study employed multiple regression analysis to answer the research question and to test the study’s hypotheses. The result from the analysis indicates that, both the health and economic impact of covid-19 pandemic has significant negative effect on MSMEs performance in Northeast Nigeria. Accordingly, the study recommends that Nigerian policy makers should introduce economic reforms to diversify the economy and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on revenue from crude oil export. Also, the policymakers in Nigeria should invest in health care infrastructure to improve the ability of the national health system to withstand the outbreak of contagious diseases. Finally, there is also a need to build appropriate digital infrastructure to facilitate the transition from ‘face-to-face’ business activities to a ‘digital or online’ business activities, which can help to grow the digital economy.