Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth in Nigeria

The paper seeks to examine the relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth in Nigeria using the Johansen and Juselius Co-integration technique based on the Cobb-Douglas growth model covering the period 1980-2008. The study adopted also conducted the Vector Error Correction Modelling and the Pairwise Granger Causality test in order to empirically ascertain the error correction adjustment and direction of causality between electricity consumption and economic growth. The study found the existence of a unique co-integrating relationship among the variables in the model with the indicator of electricity consumption impacting significantly on growth. Also, the study shows an evidence of bi-directional causal relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth. Prominent among the policy recommendation, is the need to strengthen the effectiveness of energy generating agencies by ensuring periodic replacement of worn-out equipment in order to drastically curtail transmission power losses

The Economic Role of Nigeria’s Subsistence Agriculture in the Transition Process: Implications for Rural Development

This study examined the role of subsistence-oriented agriculture in Nigeria in the 1990s to 2000s. The start out by discussing the diverging economic effects of the growth of subsistence agriculture in Nigeria since the transition process started. The quantitative analysis of this sector’s role is carried out by means of an applied Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model applying a 1994 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) as base year data. The innovation of the article is to disaggregate primary agricultural production not by products but by farm types, which enables us to distinguish their institutional and economic characteristics. The study simulates two Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the government. The results of the post SAP period highlight that Nigeria’s subsistence agriculture was an important shock absorber against further agricultural output declines during transition. A simulation, which looks into the effects of a devaluation of the Nigeria Naira, shows that the financial crisis should have increased the relative competitiveness particularly of large-scale crop farms versus small-scale farms. The reforms of successive governments show that efficiency enhancing institutional change would benefit both large-scale and small-scale farms. However, within small-scale agriculture, a shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture would take place.Subsistence agriculture, CGE model, Exchange rate, Institutional Development, Structural Constraints, Nigeria, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Wind Power Generation, a Review of the Doubly Fed Induction Generator

In recent years, there’s been a renewed interest in renewable energy sources due to environmentalproblems and the eventual shortage of fossil fuels. Wind energy made considerable strides especially inEurope, particularly Denmark and Germany [1, 2]. Wind is a source of energy which has gained popularityin the last few years, coupled with the fact that it is a non-polluting and renewable energy source withminimal costs involved in operating expenses. A lot of distribution systems use this energy source for theirpower supply. A lot of generators are in use with wind as a source of energy, however the most commonlyused generator in modern times, and especially with units above 1 MW is the doubly fed induction generator(DFIG). This paper aims to look at the features of the doubly fed induction generator which has made it anenviable bride in wind power generation

The Persistence of Small Farms and Poverty Levels in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

Small farmers are one of the more disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in Nigeria. Studies have shown that majority of people living in absolute poverty can be found on small farms with half in this group undernourished. The study examined heterogeneity in circumstances and diversity in rural agriculture, the persistence of small farms, poverty and institutional development and facilities. Data for this study came from Nigerian living Standard Survey (NLSS) which covered the two periods 1994/2004. The data set consists of 9550 respondents’ but only 8264 cases were useful for this study. The index of heterogeneity at 29.1 indicated persistence of small farms in the two periods under consideration. Persistence of small farms and poverty are closely related (r = 0.674). The poverty differential in the two surveys data revealed that poverty increased by 14.72%. Disaggregation analysis indicated that institutional development and facilities improved farm outputs, diversification to non-farm and reduction in poverty. Access to these institutional facilities can enable the small farmers to rearticulate their livelihood activities. Policy makers need to show more commitment to develop agriculture through identifying and providing the capacity need of small farmers in order for them to absorb and used whatever modern techniques introduced.Heterogeneity index, Poverty Differential, Institutional Development, Structural Constraints, Nigeria, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development,

Effects of global climate change on Nigerian agriculture: An empirical analysis

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the effects of global warming on Nigerian agriculture and estimation of the determinants of adaptation to climate change. Data used for this study are from both secondary and primary sources. The set of secondary sources of data helped to examine the coverage of the three scenarios (1971-1980; 1981-1990 and 1991-2000). The primary data set consists of 900 respondents' but only 850 cases were useful. This study analyzed determinants of farm-level climate adaptation measures using a Multinomial choice and stochastic-simulation model to investigate the effects of rapid climatic change on grain production and the human population in Nigeria. The model calculates the production, consumption and storage of grains under different climate scenarios over a 10-year scenery. In most scenarios, either an optimistic baseline annual increase of agricultural output of 1.85% or a more pessimistic appraisal of 0.75% was used. The rate of natural increase of the human population exclusive of excess hunger-related deaths was set at 1.65% per year. Results indicated that hunger-related deaths could increase if grain productions do not keep pace with population growth in an unfavourable climatic environment. However, Climate change adaptations have significant impact on farm productivity

Influence of dietary palm oil on growth and carcass composition of Heterobranchus longifilis

Supplies of marine fish oil (FO) are limited and continued growth in aquaculture production dictates that substitutes must be found that do not compromise fish health and growth. This study investigated the suitability of palm oil (PO) as a replacement for FO (cod liver oil) in diets of H longifilis. Triplicate groups of H longifilis fingerlings were fed five practical-type diets in which the added lipid was either 100% FO and 0% PO; 75% FO and 25% PO; 50% FO and 50% PO; 25% FO and 75% PO; or 0% FO and 100% PO for 8 weeks. There were no significant effects of diet on growth rate or feed conversion ratio. Lipid deposition was highest in the liver of fish fed 100% PO. No significant differences were observed between dietary treatments for moisture, protein and ash content in H. longifilis fingerlings. This study suggests that PO can be used successfully as a substitute for cod liver oil in diets for H. longifilis

Influence Of Automated Cataloguing System On Manual Cataloguing System In The Library: A Case Study Of Selected Academic Libraries In South-West, Nigeria

This study examied the automation of cataloguing and classification practices in academic libraries in South-West Nigerian and what effect the automated cata/o~uin~ systme has on manual catalo~uin~ in the the libraries. The stifdv population 1 comprised II 0 library professional and paraprofessional personnel working in the cataloguing section oft he {en jetJeral and state university libraries in South-West Nigeria. Total enumeration technique was used to randomly se,fect the study population for this study. Data for this study was collected using questionnaire. A 5-point Likert scale were' used with 1-5 representing 'strongly agree', 'agree', 'undecided', . 'disagree' and 'strongly disagree ' respectively, ·to e/idit information .from the respondents. A total of II 0 copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. 85 copies of the questionnaires were retrieved and valid for analysis. Data were analysed using charts, table, frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The result of the study find out that automation is. changing positively the way bibliographic details are being created and displayed. Cataloguing is now quicker with the automated system and that automated system is preferred to the manoa/ system. The study highlighted various benefits of cataloguing automation such as automation · improve inter-personal relationship, saves time, easy feedback/rom library user, etc.The study recommends that libraries should not be satisfied with the little benefits derived from the partial automation of the cataloguing and other sections of the libraries but should fully automate the systems and continuously upgrade the automated systems especially as technology unfol