The Role of Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in COVID-19 Global Pandemic–Lessons For Nigeria

Abstract

The world has continued to witness the new normal because of the global pandemic called COVID-19, previously known as novel coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019. The virus has spread exponentially worldwide, infecting more than 233,479,934 people and 4,777,581 deaths as of 30^th September 2021. This development prompted China, Taiwan, and South Korea to employ Big Data Analytics (BDA) and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) at the initial stage to identify patterns, detect individuals with fever, track movements, and recognise faces of those infected before the use of vaccines. The study reviewed BDA and A.I.’s role in the COVID-19 global pandemic and lessons Nigeria and Nigerians can draw. Finally, the paper recommends that the legislative arm of government should ensure the introduction of legislation that stimulates continued innovation and data security.