Suspecting the Figures: What Church Leaders Think About Government’s Commitment to Combating COVID-19 in Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of Asian and African studies (Leiden) Vol. 58; no. 5; pp. 725 - 746
• Main Authors: Agbo, Uchechukwu M., Nche, George C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-08-2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Catholics; COVID-19; Credibility; Government; Opinion leaders; Pentecostal churches; Political leadership; Religious leaders; Responses; Statistics; Nigeria; church leaders; public trust; government; responses; pandemic; Nigeria; COVID-19 statistics
• ISSN: 0021-9096; 1745-2538
• DOI: 10.1177/00219096211069645

Public trust in government can significantly determine the outcome of health policies in any society. Hence, studies have been gauging peoples’ level of trust in their governments’ commitment and capacity to win the fight against COVID-19. However, these studies have omitted religious leaders. This is despite the fact that religious leaders play key roles in the area of health in many societies. The present study, therefore, explored the opinions church leaders have about the credibility of the COVID-19 statistics and other government responses in Nigeria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 church leaders drawn from Anglican, Catholic, and Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. A descriptive narrative approach was employed in the thematic organization and analysis of data. Findings show that only one participant expressed confidence in the credibility of the COVID-19 statistics and other government’s responses. The rest, with the exception of one participant who was uncertain, was distributed between those who believe the statistics and other government efforts are exaggerated and those who believe they are false. The study also found that denominational affiliation mattered with respect to the perceptions about the credibility of the COVID-19 statistics and other government responses. Implications of findings for policy and research are discussed.