IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL SCALE BUSINESSESES IN EDO – NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of small scale businesses in Edo North Senatorial district investigated mainly the implications of COVID -19 pandemic on the performance of small scale businesses in the district under investigation. Among others objectives, was the impact of movement restriction policy of government as well as social distancing, on the performance of SME’s in the district. Under investigation. A population of 94 registered small scale business owners, in Edo North, were considered for the study, out of which Seventy- four (74) different small scale business owners were chosen through purposive sampling method and were administered questionnaires, but sixty-seven (67) questionnaires were well filled and used for the study. Data were analyzed using Pearson product – moment correlation and findings revealed a significant negative impact between movement restriction, social distancing policy of government and performance of businesses in Edo North Senatorial district, also uncertainty caused by the pandemic had negative impact on business performance. The researcher therefore, recommended that SME’s owners should be encouraged to embrace digital transformation and online platform to reach wider audience by establishing e-commerce platform; implementing online payment system and digital marketing strategies to promote their products and services. Finally, all businesses particularly SSB’s should develop robust business continuity plans to mitigate future crises. This includes building, resilience, maintaining emergency funds and creating strategies for remote working or flexible operations. These measures could reduce the level of market uncertainties that may be caused by any possible pandemic.

0 23 Jun, 2026

pg: 14

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