A comparative assessment of employment challenges of students in University of Northampton before and after the corona virus lockdown: a case of Nigerian students

The global issue that came with the rampaging effect of the covid-19 pandemic affected many aspect of life especially that of international studies with respect to employment challenges. This research focuses to highlight the impact of the covid-19 lockdown on the employment challenges of international students using Nigerian student in the University of Northampton UK as focal point, 36 students participated in the research. A qualitative research method was used as an online questionnaire was randomly sent via the Nigerian student Wassap group, the questions covered areas like the demographic information, economic impact of covid-19, adaptation during the lockdown by students and employment challenges faced before and during the covid-19 lockdown. Data shows that 100 percent of the participants were working before the lockdown but about 96 percent did not work during the lockdown which shows the negative impact of the pandemic on employment rate. Small percentage of Nigerians working during the covid-19 lockdown was working from home rather in offices and public organizations. While the lockdown significantly decreased the employment rate of students, it has also caused a heavy economic crisis as most of them have to work to support themselves as they study especially those at post graduate level.