COVID-19 and the Entertainment Industries in Nigeria

International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For citation use the DOI.

For commercial re-use, please contact editor@rupkatha.com.

V.O Eze

, Uche Uwaezuoke Okonkwo

Cindy Anene Ezeugwu

Chinyere

Christiana Ukwueze

and Felicia O. Ezeugwu

Department of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, [email protected].

Department of History, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, uch[email protected]

(Corresponding author)

Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

cindyj246@gmail.com

Department of Music, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, chinyere.ukw[email protected]

Department of Music, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, felicia.ezeugwu@unn.edu.ng

Abstract

This paper examines not only on the socio-economic implication of the lockdown on practitioners in the

entertainment industry namely the cinema halls, live performances, and the film industries among others,

but also it explores the ways E-entertainment was being introduced especially in music and drama industry.

With the lockdown orchestrated by the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in Nigeria, show lovers were being

entertained through E-concerts, drive in theatre performances, and television live shows like Owambe and

Pepsi Dance Party that was being showed every weekend with the audience responding on face book,

Instagram and WhatsApp platforms among others. The research method is qualitative and analytical. The

study employed a survey method of data collection to gather relevant material from published and

unpublished materials in hard and soft copies which included online materials. The material was analyzed

through mixed-method, which involved description, explanation, translation, and interpretation. The result

showed that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted negatively the entertainment industry, bringing to a halt

the performer/audience physical participation and interaction and a lot of reduction in the socio-economic

progress of entertainers and the entertainment industry depends on their audience for finance. It also

opened up the need for the entertainment industry to focus more on the acquisition of E-entertainment

facilities to bridge the gap between the entertainers and the audiences on a larger scale to take care of

pandemic incidents like COVID-19.

Keywords: Entertainment, Music, Lockdown, Covid-19, Pandemic, Fans, Artistes

Introduction

Covid-19 has been described as an infectious disease that causes respiratory infections and it

originated in Hunan seafood market at Wuhan China (Obi-Ani, Anikwenze and Isiani,2020:2).

The first case was recorded on November 17, 2019(Aguisi et al,2020:1). The symptoms of Covid-19

range from fever, cough, respiratory system, and shortness of breath and breathing difficulties

(Ohia, Bakarey and Ahmad, 2020:279). The first index announced case of Covid-19 in Nigeria was

on 27 February 2020. That was the case of an Italian visitor who got it and spread to a Nigerian

whose case was confirmed on march 9 2020 thus becoming the first recorded cases in Sub

Saharan Africa (Amoo et al 2020: 2). For a period of one month between February 27 to March 27

2020, reported cases of Covid-19 was mainly from returned travelers (Amzat,2020:2).

Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities (ISSN 0975-2935)

Indexed by Web of Science, Scopus, DOAJ, ERIHPLUS

Vol. 13, No. 1, January-March, 2021. 1-11

Full Text: http://rupkatha.com/V13/n1/v13n109.pdf

DOI:

https://dx.doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v1

2 Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2021

The virus regrettably has no cure for now. While the ongoing clinical trials of the vaccine

for COvid-19 was ongoing, Russia through its ambassador to Nigeria Alexey Shebarshin made

available, sample of Russian COVID-19 vaccine to the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria which

was at a time being tried by other countries of the world such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE),

Saudi Arabia, Mexico and several others (Ezeh, 2020:29). While countries of the world were

recreating new medical breakthroughs on COVID-19, Nigeria was expecting and relying on

innovations being created by the West. Even herbal cure from African countries like Madagascar

was politicized by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD)

who alleged that it could only reduce cough associated with COVID-19 and not a corrective

medicine (Taiwo-Obalonye, 2020:8). Yet Madagascar has no recorded death from COVID-19

pandemic. The global suspicion that Coronavirus was Chinese biological weapon was nothing

frightening to the Nigerian government as they hurriedly invited 15 Chinese medical experts to

assist her fight COVID-19 in Nigeria which was out rightly rejected by the masses. Following this

development, the Nigerian Health Minister Dr.Osigie Ehanire diplomatically maintained that

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) invited them to Nigeria (Emorinken,

2020:8).

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is yet another wake up call for scientific

breakthrough. Within a short time-frame, manufacturing of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

and other medical facilities was beginning to be produced locally due to shortage of medical

equipments coming from abroad as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and the increase demand of

medical equipments. It should be recalled that following the outcome of the Nigerian Civil War

between 1967 to 1970, there was huge success recorded in the scientific breakthrough recorded in

the defunct Biafra as necessity became the mother of invention. Under heavy threats of war, aero

planes were maintained, oil was refined, and there was local manufacturing of bombs known as

Ogbunigwe and other war implements in the midst of difficulties and scarcities.

The first recorded case of COVID-19 announced on 27 February 2020 in Nigeria came out

with its own challenges. Specifically, the COVID-19 outbreak was a challenge to Nigeria’s creative

ingenuity. Obinna (2020:17) recorded that there was a sharp increase in the cost of hospital

equipments. According to him,

Cost is one of the impacts of COVID-19 on health services. Prices of most of the

consumables used in hospitals have skyrocketed. For example, the infrared

thermometer sold for N5,000 was sold for N75,000 between March and April. And of

course, other medical equipments and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as

hand gloves and hand sanitizers.

At the Federal Polytechnic Nakede in Owerri there was the invention of manual and automated

hand washing sanitizer machines to combat COVID-19(Njoku, 2020:3). Also, at the Federal

Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State, there was the construction of automated solar power anti

COVID-19 machines produced by engineers from the institution. It was designed in a way that

once the water and sanitizers dispensers are filled over 1,000 persons could use it (Okopoly

Unveils Automated,2020:14-15). In the acute shortage of ventilators and other medical

equipments, the Federal government was seeking solutions to the problem of the health sector

through local manufacturing. The federal government indicated interests of investing to boost the

manufacturing sector to the tune of N500 billion but as usual it will likely end on the pages of the

newspapers. The implication here is that the COVID-19 outbreak was a major challenge not only

to the innovative spirits of the people but the creative minds in the entertainment industry we

have set to examine.

COVID-19 and the Entertainment Industries in Nigeria

As of 16th of September 2020, 126 new confirmed cases and 3 Covid-19 related deaths have

been recorded in Nigeria, with a total of 56,604 confirmed cases, 47,872 discharged and 1091

deaths recorded in 36 states of the federation (COVID-19 NIGERIA, 2020:

https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/). The table below captures the COVID-19 index in Nigeria as

recorded by the Federal government-owned Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The

emphasis of this paper, however, is not on the demographic analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic or

the history of its outbreak. This is because existing scholarship has handled the aforementioned

themes (Aguisi et al, 2020). The focal point of the analysis is on how the pandemic has affected

the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

States Affected

No. of Cases (Lab

Confirmed)

No. of Cases (on

admission)

No. Discharged

No. of

Deaths

Lagos

18,723

3,273

5,245

205

FCT

5,488

522

4,892

Oyo 3,223 1,082 2,102 39

Plateau 3,158 969 2,158 31

Edo 2,610 78 2,427 105

Kaduna 2,305 90 2,182 33

Rivers 2,208 29 2,120 59

Delta 1,793 106 1,638 49

Ogun 1,755 22 1,705 28

Kano 1,733 26 1,653 54

Ondo 1,590 65 1,490 35

Enugu 1,232 123 1,088 21

Ebonyi 1,034 7 997 30

Kwara 1,004 77 902 25

Katsina 844 363 457 24

Abia 835 35 792 8

Osun 805 17 771 17

Gombe

779

679

Borno

741

703

Bauchi

681

656

Imo 551 323 216 12

Benue 467 57 401 9

Nasarawa 447 137 298 12

Bayelsa 393 2 370 21

Jigawa 322 3 308 11

Ekiti 305 33 267 5

Akwa Ibom 286 27 251 8

Niger 244 16 216 12

Anambra 232 29 184 19

Adamawa 230 19 196 15

Sokoto 159 0 142 17

Taraba 95 16 73 6

Kebbi 93 1 84 8

Cross River 83 0 74 9

Zamfara 78 0 73 5

Yobe 73 6 59 8

Kogi

Source: Confirmed Cases by State, https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/ accessed 17 September 2020

4 Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2021

The deadly Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, had an impact on the entertainment

industries in Nigeria. The music performing industries were the worst hit of the lockdown. The

usual method of entertainment in Nigeria had always been an outdoor method. This implies that

people need to move out to dance halls, clubs or event places in order to get entertained.

Following the lockdown of markets, schools, clubs, offices, parks, churches, mosques and other

public places in order to checkmate the community spread of the virus. An editorial of reputable

journal reveals that a good proportion of the entertainment industry depends on audiences and

experiences that involve physical proximity which involves entertainers such as actors, musicians

and dancers except for material artists and fashion designers (Editorial, 2020:93). There was a

major setback on the entertainment industry in Nigeria because part of the measures put in place

to checkmate the spread of the deadly virus by the Nigerian government was to legislate against

open get-together (Hassan,2020:32)

The entertainment industry is not always considered when measuring the national

economy in Nigeria. This is because the emphasis has always been on oil and gas, manufacturing,

telecommunications and agriculture. The Nollywood for example is reputed to be the second-

largest film industry in the world in terms of the number of films produced annually. This is

because an average of fifty films is produced weekly across the country enjoying the services of

approximately 100 persons per project which include actors, directors, producers, sound

engineers, costume engineers, line producers, welfare coordinators, editors, continuity

supervisors and this amount to about 5,000 jobs lost every week and since the lockdown began an

average of 40,000 jobs as of May 2020 was lost (COVID-19:250 Jobs at Stake, 2020:21).

Justifying the losses encountered in the entertainment industries, the News Agency of

Nigeria reported that the cinema in Nigeria earned over N3billion in the first half of 2019 and over

N1.2 billion in July while the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria recorded that in 2019

Nigeria spent almost N7 billion to view films in the cinemas across Nigeria but the outbreak of

Covid-19 has brought uncertainty in the industry, such that no one can predict what the outcome

will be in terms of income generation (Aguda, 2020:10). With the outbreak of the Covid-19

pandemic, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) in connection with Film and

Motion Distributors Association of Nigeria (FDAN) began strategizing on how to manage social

distancing in Cinema by sending out messages to their members on social media platforms. The

initial plan to remain in business was to reduce the capacity of the hall to only 50 percent in order

to allow space seating, allow only customers with face mask, and check the temperature of people

coming into the hall, as well as print online tickets. These measures were put in place anticipating

partial lockdown but this did not materialize as the lockdown was extended severally by Federal

government on the instruction of NCDC (Covid-19:250 Jobs at Stake,2020:21). Thus, the projected

arrangement could not sail through because of the government insistence on continued lockdown

in order to checkmate the community spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

By July 2020, the Cinema in Nigeria was still at lockdown. This had serious economic

implications for those practitioners in the entertainment industries. As a result, the Nigerian

Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) sent a Save-Our Soul appeal to Nigeria’s

President Muhammadu Buhari for the reopening of the theatrical sector of the economy alleging

that their association had lost over 50 million USD (about 22.5 billion) and more than 5,000 jobs

since the lockdown was imposed by the Nigerian government. In addition, they re-affirmed that

annual revenue of N200 billion was being realized in Nigeria by making films (Cinema Films

Operators Cry to Buhari,2020:3)

COVID-19 and the Entertainment Industries in Nigeria

The negative effect of the Covid-19 led the Director General National Council of Arts and

Culture Otunba Olusegun Runsewe to admit that people in the entertainment sector was the

worst hit by the socio-economic implications of the lockdown since practitioners in the industry

are very close to the people (Anokwuru,2020:43). The Nigerian musicians had their own fair share

of the lockdown effect. Top Nigerian artistes like 2 Face Idibia, Davido, Asa and Sinach had their

tours in Cameroon, North America and London postponed and already sold tickets cancelled and

money realized, credited back to the owners. There were several cancellations of big shows, many

music albums that were supposed to be released were placed on hold and many of the singles

which were supposed to have been released were held back (Nigeria: Coronavirus Compels,2020).

The lockdown was a period of uncertainty as the artistes were also looking at the general mood of

the people that were seeking of pleasure with the fear that accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic.

E-Entertainment During the Lockdown

The beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown also brought so many positive innovations.

The private sector and the government resumed meetings via Skype, Webiner and Zoom to

communicate and deliberate on issues. The Nigerian artistes were left with the option of using

YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Telegram and Instagram to do their shows. Many Nigerian artistes

like Seyi Shay, Reekado Banks, Timi Dakolo, Semi, Falz, Burna Boy, Flavour, Phyno and others

explored the option of YouTube Live shows and streaming to remain in business. There was

feedback from fans that used Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook to make requests from entertainers on

what kind of performance and songs they wanted and as well expressed their feelings of the

performances (Olalekan, 2020.)

Creative minds are always coming up with new strategies in every circumstance. Covid-19

pandemic provided new opportunities for creativity. Nigerian artistes like the Hip-pop award-

winning artiste, Tu Face Idibia, in conjunction with the International Breweries PLC, makers of

the Trophy Extra Stout, had an E-concert. The idea was to bring fun and hope to thousands of

people in the comfort of their homes was the first of its kind (Tuface Dazzles Fans,2020:22). In a

related development, another group of artistes Asa and Davido organized a show through music

steaming platform Udu X live stream on 13 April 2020 (Olalekan, 2020). There was yet another

major e-concert by popular musicians Flavour and Phyno which was hosted on Instagram live

sessions. It was one way of overcoming the boredom created by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was

hosted every Friday nights as the Beer Parlour conversations and was anchored by WAGA-G. It

began on Friday night, May 1, 2020, and was sponsored by The Life Beer brand ambassadors who

used the opportunity to unveil the life beer brand campaign titled “Ndu Ka – Life is Important”

Live on Instagram and other social media platforms (Kwentua,2020)

Similarly, the 7UP bottling company sponsored a live-streamed concert through the

following DStv packages – Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam and Yanga; and GOtv

packages. It was called ‘Turn Up Friday with Pepsi’ and Do2tun a great dancer was the host. The

broadcast lives every Friday for three hours from 9:30 pm-12:30 am got viewer enjoying DJ Obi

who kick-started the show, DJ Neptune, DJ Sose, DJ Lambo, DJ Consequence and many more.

Beginning from the middle of April 2020, the show was bringing DJ music party to everyone right

in their living rooms and Africa Magic through DSTV channels 153 and 154 driving fun and

excitement into many Nigerian homes. The programme was also live on Amazon Prime Video,

Apple, Twitch, YouTube, BBC and a number of TV networks. During the Friday programmes, fans

who recorded their dance steps on Facebook, Instagram and twitter handle of the TV show were

6 Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2021

shown live during the programme (Onwuaso,2020). The event also played host to notable media

personalities, comedians and musicians like Tiwa Salvage, Eaze, Kaffy and so many others.

Furthermore, there was Live Owambe on Am Urban and family every Saturday at 8.30 pm

through DSTV channels 153,154 and GOTV channel 2. The programme was hosted by a popular

radio host and media personality Steve Onu popularly known as Yaw and was sponsored by the

Indomie Noodles (Obinna, 2020). The outbreak of Covid-19 had implications for public

performances and the popular Owambe parties in Yoruba land were banned (Okunbor and

Ogundele, 2020:38). The viewers of DSTV Africa had a great time every Saturday enjoying the live

show on television. The Owambe feeling was brought every Saturday to many homes of the

viewers as a way of making them forget the challenges of the Coronavirus lockdown. The host of

the show Yaw was able to attract notable Nigerian artistes who performed with live bands on

television and the people made the request through various social media platforms. Notable

artists that performed during the shows include Flavour, Sir Shina Peters, and major musical

bands in Nigeria (Excitement as SSP, 2020:20)

At the continental level in Africa, there was a virtual live solidarity concert for Africa

Union and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to commemorate 2020 Africa Day Celebration (AU,

AFRIMA Fight COVID-19,2020:29). In an E-Concert hosted by the comedian, Bovi called Naira

Win Verbal Concert, the fans of Davido, Tiwa Salvage, Mayokurn and others were entertained in

August 2020 by the aforementioned music stars through e-concert in order to observe the Covid-

19 lockdown (Ihekire,2020). There was also a wonderful innovation introduced by Ice Nweke for

the virtual convention for dancers. The idea was to use professional dancers like Kafayat

Oluwatoyin Shafau known as Kaffy to train a generation of dancers online through creating

numerous jobs and opportunities through that process (Eniola,2020:12)

In addition, there were other ways of exploring e-concerts and online platforms for

advancing their creative ingenuity. The popular filmmaker Tunde Kelani during the lockdown

was able to release on YouTube the adaptation of the novel published in 1952 by Amos Tutola

titled the Palmwine Drunkard (Ganlu, 2020:12). At the same period the popular Nigerian

musician, Davido, released on YouTube in his 2019 hit ‘Blow My Mind’ which was accessed by

about 40 million viewership (Bada, 2020:20). The closure of the cinema halls gave an opportunity

for Pay-Tv companies like DSTV to showcase interesting love programmes like Mercy and Ike of

the Big Brother Naija 2019 fame which showcases on Monday and Fridays on African Magic Urban

with a repeat broadcast scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays for those who missed Sunday shows

(Aguda,2020)

Sometime in July 2020, the virtual meeting of the Director National Film and Video

Census Board Adebayo Thomas and his Kenyan counterpart Dr Elizabeth Mutua after their

deliberations on the film industry noted some observations. The maintained that the COVID-19

has ravaged the film industry and appealed to the government to approve the reopening of

cinema while they abide by the World Health Organization (WHO) protocols (Nigeria, Kenyan

Film Regulation,2020:39)

Stress, Support and Palliatives for the Creative Industry during the Covid-19 Pandemic

During the lockdown, Nigerian artistes, actors and actress were stressed out and had issues with

the government of the day. Nigerian artistes ordinarily are not used to caged life and as a result,

contravened the social distancing law meant to checkmate the community spread of the Covid-19

COVID-19 and the Entertainment Industries in Nigeria

pandemic. An artist, Funke Akindele of the popular Jenifa’s Diary and one of the Nigerian popular

singers, Naira Marley, are reference points to this claim. Sometime in April 2020, Funke Akindele

arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court with the husband and the charge read as follows:

That you (1) Funke Akindele(2) Abdul Rasheed Bello on the 4

day of April 2020 at 9,

Gbdamosi close, Amen Estate, Ibeju Lekki in the Lagos Magisterial District gathered at

the aforementioned address with 20 persons contrary to the social distancing directive of

Mr. Governor of Lagos State Infectious Disease Emergency Prevention Regulation 2020

and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 58 of Public Health Law

Cap P.16 Vol.9 Laws of Lagos State 2015(Okonkwo,2020:32)

Funke and the husband pleaded guilty and were requested to engage in community service in

Lagos State for two weeks. Also arrested but later released was another artiste, Naira Marley.

Meanwhile, the court premises were filled with people who during the trial also negated the social

distancing law while trying to implement the law. On 13 June 2020 Naira Marley flew to Abuja,

with a charter flight for a concert. The event, which took place at Jabi Lake Mall led to the sealing

off of the premises. Ten days after, the premises were re-opened but the artiste Naira, who

pleaded guilty was arraigned on August 7 2020 before Abuja Mobile Court where- he pleaded

guilty and paid a fine of N200,000(Okonofua,2020)

Notwithstanding some of these face-offs between few artistes and the government, the

situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic called for support from the government and

concerned individuals. The Federal government on its own was able to give a lifeline to television

and radio stations as a way of salvaging about N7.8 billion debt from license fees. The indebted

stations were by this offer expected to pay only 60 per cent of their debt beginning from July to

October 2020 (Falashade-Kayi,2020:27)

The Copyright Society of Nigeria announced its resolve to distribute N50 million to

musicians in its register to curtail the effect of Covid-19(GaniuA,2020:16). In a related

development, buoyant musicians also gave out palliatives to cushion the effect of Covid-19. Tuface

Idibia a Nigerian musician announced N10 million donations to support the fight against Covid-

19(Ganiu B 2020:21). In addition, Mr Eazi in May 2020 announced his readiness to give meals to

10,000 residents of Lagos (Unamaka,2020:19) As part of its social corporate responsibility the

Access Bank Nigeria PLC supported at the beginning of the Lockdown the Africa International

Film Festival (AFRIFF). The idea was to nurture filmmakers in a pioneering new vision for the

industry as well as all those in the industry’s value chain. This event was accompanied by talent

hunts that will drive new leaders in the industry. (Access Bank Bridges..,2020: 12)

The entertainment industry at the height of Covid-19 pandemic was able to navigate to

some extent the difficulties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the poor network

most times constituted a hitch in accessing live performances. The cost of data was not reduced as

pleaded by the government during this period thus making life difficult for people who ordinarily

are subscribing in other to get entertained. The rainy season also affected the DSTV subscribers

who ordinarily will get the best service each time it rained. There were severe challenges

orchestrated by the epileptic supply of electricity and even the hike in tariff and petroleum

products which directly affected the entertainment industries.

Sports Entertainment during COVID-19 Lockdown

8 Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2021

The significant impact of COVID-19 on sports development in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.

The forces of globalization have really shaped sports behavior in Nigeria as every sports lover is

attached emotionally to one league, athlete, and games or engaged in bet games. The collapse of

sporting events due to COVID-19 lockdown affected the grass root people to a great extent. Sports

related business, television, advertising, and marketing suffered tremendously. Under this

circumstance, various sports agencies felt some share of responsibility to reach out sports

organizations.

A report has it that sports content such as football in Nigeria is huge. But owing to the

pandemic, organizers of notable leagues across the globe got re-scheduled due to COVID-19

pandemic. The gap was however being bridged notably by the Supersport the big sports content

provider in DSTV and GOTV platforms. Late in March 2020, the provider launched the Believe

campaign an exciting sports show created to highlight the greatest stories in sports, relief offer

football, golf, UFC the opportunity to see epic matches, documentaries and interviews from the

past (Aguda,2020:10).

Even with some of the aforementioned measures put in place, food vendors, bars,

restaurants and other related chains of businesses suffered. Customers could not patronize for

several reasons. More directly is the fact that new matches were not being fixed and televised. The

impact of this development is a hypothesis for waiting for its researchers as bet games that

accompanies football events was no longer there. The direct impact of this development was the

increase in criminal activities. The rise of criminal group known as ‘‘One Million Gang’’ created

fear in Lagos that each neighborhood in the city during the COVID-19 lockdown quickly

organized its own security in the absence of the willingness by the police to protect the people.

(Orji,2020). Sporting events ordinarily serves as a yardstick of crime control a sort of. There was

the Covid-19 protocol prohibiting gathering in public spaces and as well as constant harassment

from security agents to that effect. For example, the National Human Rights Commission report

to the Transparency International reveals that the police and other security agents in the first two

weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown killed about 18 people. This number according to the report was

more than the number of fatalities emanating from COVID-19 as of that time (Asimi, 2020).

Different measures were put in place to cushion the effect of economic harsh realities on

those in sports value chain. The Handball Federation International gave the Handball Federation

of Nigeria (HFN) the sum of USD 8,000 support fund. This was given as part of the measure put in

place to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on handball family (COVID-19: HFN Confirms.,

2020:30). In addition, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) got about #180 million from FIFA as

a financial relief for members passing through difficult financial challenges as a result of COVID-

19 in April 2020. (Apu,2020:28). The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) got its own fair

share of #11,580,000 (Eleven Million Five hundred and eight thousand) from the Nigeria Football

Federation when eventually the money was distributed among members of Nigeria football family

(SWAN Applauds NFF,2020:30).

Gradually, attention was diverted towards creating E-sports that will create employment

for the youths and increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Olopade, 2020:30).

Following this path, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development launched online webinars

training initiatives and E-sports programmes to keep youth engaged during the COVID-19

lockdown (COVID-19: Sports Ministry Expands Digital,2020:30). Meanwhile, local entrepreneurs

who own bet game shops suffered during this period as customers were not patronizing them

with the closure of different European leagues and as a result there were no bet games.

In this paper, we have been able to attempt a discourse on the impact of Covid-19

pandemic on the Nigerian sports, artistes and owners of cinema halls. The

entertainment industry, as we have shown, could be a credible alternative to the

diversification of

Conclusion

In this paper, we have been able to attempt a discourse on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on

the Nigerian sports, artistes and owners of cinema halls. The entertainment industry, as we have

shown, could be a credible alternative to the diversification of the economic agenda as a lot of

revenue is being generated from that sector. We have also pointed out that the industries have

their own value chain that provides opportunities for survival for a lot of people. Following the

outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the sector was badly affected since it deals with the person to

person contact to operate. Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 lockdown that prohibited the

movement of persons, travels and social gatherings, the practitioners in the aforementioned

industries relied on E-concerts and online services to operate in what has become the new

normal. Thus, even though there was no physical interactive performance between entertainers

and their audience not much income generated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inasmuch the

income reduced due to several factors, the act of entertainment in Nigeria was still not totally

hindered. In addition, we observed that sports as an agent of globalization was affected during the

COVID-19 pandemic and thus was the various measures put in place to cushion the effect of the

COVID-19 pandemic on the grass root people.

References

Access Bank Bridges Funding Gap in Creative Industry’’ (2020) The Nation Wednesday March 4.

Aguda,O. (2020) ‘‘How COVID-19 Has Affected the Film Industry’’Sunday Sun, May 24.

Aguda

, O. (2020) ‘‘How Covid-19 Pandemic Has Affected the Film Industry’’

https://businessday.ng/brands-advertising/article/how-covid-19-pandemic-has-affected-the-film-

industry/ accessed 13 June.

Agusi, E.R et al (2020) ‘The Covid-19 Pandemic and Social Distancing in Nigeria: Ignorance or Defiance’’

Pan African Medical Journal, Vol. 35 Supp.2 https://www.panafrican-med-

journal.com/content/series/35/2/52/full accessed 17 September.

Amoo, E.O. (2020) ‘Nigeria and Italy Divergences in Coronavirus Experience: Impact of population Density’’

Hindawi The Scientific World Journal, http://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8923036

Amzat, G et al (2020) ‘‘Coronavirus Outbreak in Nigeria: Burden and Socio-Medical Response During the

First 100 Days’’ International Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 98

Anokwuru, E. (2020) ‘‘COVID-19, Runsewe Urges Industry Players to be Alert’ ’Daily Sun Thursday March

26.

Apu, J. (2020) ‘‘’COVID-19: NFF Gets #180M FIFA Grant’’Daily Sun, April 25

Asimi, S (2020) ‘‘In Nigeria, COVID-19 Brings Home the Need for Effective Criminal Justice Complaint

Channel’’https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/in-nigeria-covid-19-brings-home-the-need-for-

effective-criminal-justice-complaint-channels# accessed 20 Novmber

Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2021

AU, AFRIMA Fight Covid-19 (2020) Daily Sun Wednesday May 27.

Bada, G.(2020) ‘Davido Hit Song, ‘Blow My Mind’ Crosses 40 Million on You Tube’’ The Nation Saturday

May 16.

Cinema Operators Cry to Buhari Over N22.5 Billion Losses’’ (2020) Daily Sun, Monday July 6.

COVID-19 NIGERIA, (2020): https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/ accessed 17 September.

COVID-19: HFN Confirms Receipt of USD 8,000 Support From IHF’ (2020) Daily Sun, Thursday August 13

COVID-19: Sports Ministry Expands Digital Training for Youths (2020) Sporting Sun, Friday April 24

COVID-19:250,000 Jobs at Stake in Creative Industry’’ (2020) Daily Sun, Friday May 22.

Editorial (2020) ‘‘Creative Industries Beyond COVID-19’’Creative Industries Journal Vol.13 No.2

Emorinken, M. (2020) ‘‘Chinese Medics Not Our Guests, Says Minister’’ The Nation, Friday May 15

Eniola, O. (2020) ‘Ice Nweke’s DC-DE Holds Virtual Convention for Dancers’’ Guardian August 15.

Excitement as SSP Headlines Africa Magic Owambe Show (2020) Daily Sun, Friday July 17.

Ezeh, F. (2020) ‘Russia Markets COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria’’ Daily Sun, Saturday September 5

Falasade-Kayi, A. (2020) ‘Covid-19: FG Gives TV, Radio Station Lifeline on N7.8bn Debt’’ Daily Sun Tuesday

July 7.

Ganiu

, O. (2020) ‘‘MCSN Attacks COSON Over N50 Million COVID-19 Fund’ The Nation, Wednesday April

15.

Ganiu

, O. (2020) ‘‘2 Baba Donates N10 Million to Fight Coronavirus’, The Nation, Friday April15.

Ganlu, O. (2020) ‘‘Tunde Kelani Releases Palmwine Drunkard on Stage’’ The Nation, Wednesday May 6.

Hassan, H.A(2020) ‘‘Coronavirus COVID-19: Current Situation in Nigeria’’ Journal of Organic Chemistry

Research, Vol.5(1)

Ihekire, C. (2020) ‘Davido, Tiwa Savage to Headline E-Concert Today ‘Saturday Guardian, August 15.

Kwentua, S. (2020) ‘Flavour, Phyno excite consumers on Instagram Live with new Life Beer

look’https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/05/flavour-phyno-excite-consumers-on-instagram-live-with-

new-life-beer-look/ accessed 13 August.

Nigeria, Kenyan Film Regulation Push For Cinema Re-Opening’’(2020) Daily Sun Friday July 31.

Nigeria: Coronavirus Compels Nigerian Musicians to Rethink for Engagement Income Sources’’(2020)

http://Africa.com/stories/2020042/0021.html.

Njoku, C. (2020) ‘‘Nigerian Scientists Invent Equipment Against COVID-19’’ The Nation, Wednesday, May 6

Obi-Ani, N., Anikwenze, C., and Isiani, M.C., (2020) ‘‘Social Media and the Covid-19 Pandemic: observations

From Nigeria’’ Cogent Arts and Humanities Vol.7, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2020.1799483

Obinna, D. (2020) ‘‘COVID-19: Fresh Challenges Facing Mothers and Children in Nigeria’’ Daily Sun,

Thursday, July 2

Obinna, E. (2020) ‘‘Africa Magic launches Indomie Owambe Saturday’’ https://businessday.ng/arts-and-

life/article/africa-magic-launches-indomie-owambe-saturday/) Accessed 12 September.

Ohia, C., Bakarey, A.S., and Ahmad, T. (2020) ‘‘COVID-19 and Nigeria: Putting the Realities in Context’’

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol.95

Okonkwo, K (2020) ‘‘Celebrity and the Law’’ Sunday Sun June 26.

In this paper, we have been able to attempt a discourse on the impact of Covid-19

pandemic on the Nigerian sports, artistes and owners of cinema halls. The

entertainment industry, as we have shown, could be a credible alternative to the

diversification of

Okonofua, O. (2020) ‘Naira Marley Fined N200,000 by Abuja Court for Disregarding COVID-19 Protocols’’

https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/naira-marley-fined-n200000-by-abuja-court-for-

disregarding-covid-19-protocols/b0l140q accessed 14 September.

Okopoly Unveils Automated Solar-Powered Anti- COVID-19 Machine’’ (2020) Daily Sun, Friday, May 22

Okunbor, K.O and Ogundele, B (2020) As COVID-19 Ravages, the Word-Lagos, Ekiti Ban Owambe, The

Nation Saturday March 21.

Olalekan, F. (2020) ‘Nigerian artistes now surviving on digital shows after losing gig money to Coronavirus’’

https://nairametrics.com/2020/04/14/nigerian-artistes-now-surviving-on-digital-shows-after-losing-

gig-money-to-coronavirus/ accessed 14 September.

Olopade Reveals E-Sports Opportunities, (2020) Daily Sun, Tuesday, August 18

Onwuaso, U. (2020) ‘Watch Your Favourite DJ Music and Dance Party Premieres on Africa Magic Channels’

https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/watch-your-favourite-dj-music-and-dance-party-

premieres-on-africa-magic-channels/.

Orji, S (2020) ‘Gangs Terrorised Africa’s largest city in Coronavirus lockdown, Vigilantes Responded’’

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3084816/gangs-terrorised-africas-largest-city-

coronavirus-lockdown accessed November 19

SWAN Applauds NFF on COVID-19 Pallatives (2020) Daily Sun, Wednesday August 12

Taiwo-Obalonye, J, Itua, F and Ezeh, F ‘‘Madagascar Herbal Remedy Can’t Cure COVID-19-FG’’ Daily Sun,

Friday July

Tuface Dazzles Fans at Trophy Endorsed E-Concert (2020) Daily Sun Friday April 24.

Unamka, S, (2020) ‘‘Mr. Eazi Gives 10,000 Lockdown Meals’’ The Nation Friday May 1.