![Sample our Urban Studies journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110826/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Urban-Studies.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
This study explores the experience of the sub-urban slum residents in Okpoko (Anambra State), Ngwa-road Aba (Abia State), Ajegunle (Lagos State) and Gwagwalada (Abuja), to underscore the elitist and western contexts of Covid-19 lockdown and physical distancing policies. The study apprehends these policies as being counter-productive due to Nigeria’s peculiar socio-economic circumstances, and brainstorms on the need and prospects for adaption and institutionalisation of an indigenous Afro-centred approach towards the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of herbal mixtures or local concoctions such as parboiled garlic cloves, lemon and ginger juice in the treatment and/or prevention of Covid-19 pandemic is a popular home-grown indigenous approach/practice which is generally believed to have inhibitory effects against Covid-19 by majority of the local people. These herbal remedies should be formally investigated, validated and encouraged in Nigeria as an alternative indigenous approach for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 pandemic.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 Interview with a 48-year-old landlord along Oko road, Okpoko on 7 April 2020.
2 Interview with eight people in Okpoko on 6–11 April 2020; interview with seven people in Ama-nmughu street, Ngwa Road, Aba on 20–25 April 2020; interview with 11 people in Ajegunle on 2–14 May Citation2020; interview with five people in Gwagwalada on 5–9 May Citation2020.
3 Interview with three middle-aged passers-by in Okpoko on 6–11 April 2020; interview with three female crayfish sellers and two male meat sellers in Gwagwalada on 5–9 May Citation2020.
4 Interview with a 34-year-old female tailor, a 28-year-old barber and an aged wrist watch repairer in Ahanku Street, Ngwa road, Aba on 23 April 2020.
5 This was confirmed by 10 respondents interviewed in Bendel Street, Ajegunle on 2–14 May Citation2020.
6 Interview with five market women aged between 35 and 45 in Gwagwalada on 7–8 May Citation2020.
7 Interview with a 48-year-old roadside chemist owner in Limka Street, Ajegunle on 11 May Citation2020.
8 Interview with 38-year-old roadside mechanic in Obiohia Street, Ngwa road, Aba on April 24 2020.
9 Interview with 55-year-old landlord in Oko Street, Okpoko on April 7 2020.
10 Interview with 36-year-old teacher in Ajegunle, Lagos on 5 May 2020.
11 Interview with 27-year-old vulcaniser in Igbere street, Ngwa road, Aba on 22 April 2020; Interview with 41-year-old woman (kiosk owner) in Gwagwalada on 7 May Citation2020.
12 This opinion was shared among one-third of the respondents across the study areas.
13 Interview with a 31-year-old lady who owned a saloon in Okpoko, on 8 April 2020.
14 Interview with two phone repairers aged 20–30 years, at Ngwa road, Aba on 10 April 2020.
15 All interviewees confirm this practice, including the researchers.