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The all-round devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies cannot be over-emphasized. In response to the COVID-19-induced state of economic despondency, many fragile mono-economies/oil-dependent countries resorted to excessive borrowings unilaterally and multilaterally, which consequently plunged them into heavy debts. Against this backdrop, this study investigates the COVID-19 pandemic and debt burden in Africa with special reference to Nigeria. In terms of methodology, the study adopted the case study research design within the explanatory frameworks of Fragile State theory and Debt Overhang theory. It relied heavily on the documentary method for data collection and the content analysis was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that the sudden drop in oil prices at the global market during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed oil-dependent countries to untold economic hardship, pushing them into excessive borrowings as a last resort in mitigating the health and economic crises of COVID-19. The study also observed that due to a lack of financial discipline and poor management of loans, these loans consequently, resulted in an exponential rise in the debt profile and debt burdens in Africa, especially Nigeria. Thus, we recommend that, as Nigeria was hard hit economically by the COVID-19 effect due to overdependence on oil, the government should diversify the economy to ensure the generation of internal revenue for development. Also, African and Nigerian policymakers should imbibe the culture of financial discipline for effective/efficient management of loans and debt servicing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of governance has been overwhelming and quite challenging since independence in Nigeria, especially in its economic development among the states in the country. This study investigated the nexus between governance and economic development in Abia State, from 2007 to 2018. Generally, the study is focused on the impact of governance on the economic growth of the state. The methods employed for data collection include documentary data obtained from secondary sources, personal observations and the theory is anchored on the post-colonial theory. The findings of the study revealed that the economic development of Abia State is associated with the political legacy of colonialism witnessed in Africa, evidenced in the lack of accountability and transparency in governance. The study which recommend that the structure of the state government agenda, which is geared towards bridging the infrastructural development gaps orchestrated by poor support, and negligence of the small and medium scale enterprises be adequately given attention as these will extensively contribute to the increase in the GDP, reduction in the prevalent unemployment rate, alleviation of poverty and resilient in the industrialisation in Nigeria at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]