Analysis of Empirical Relationship among Agricultural Lending, Agricultural Growth and Non-Performing Loans in Nigerian Banking System

Increasing levels in Non-Performing loans (NPLs) which has remained an area of great concern contributed to issue of declining agribusiness activities in Nigeria in the 1990s and thereafter. The study examined non-performing loans relationship with agricultural lending and agricultural productivity from 1980 to 2015 in Nigeria. Time series data obtained from CBN were analyzed using, Granger causality test, Pearson correlation, and co-integration as well as error correction models. The empirical analyses revealed that, bilateral Granger causality existed between loans and advances granted to agricultural sector and non-performing loans in Nigeria. Also, growth in GDP has a positive and significant correlation with NPL in Nigeria. In the long run, NPL is positively related to agricultural productivity, growth in the GDP and value of loans and advances offered to agricultural sector. Whereas, in the short run, NPL reacted significantly to the negative influence of interest rate and positive impact of GDP growth rate. The adjustment coefficient of 52% was discovered for the NPL long run equation in Nigeria. It is recommended that short and long- term banking reform policies be adopted to reduce fluctuations in NPLs in the banking system and efforts should be geared towards increased participation of specialized financial institutions as to accelerate investments in agriculture sector

Foreign exchange fluctuations and commercial banks profitability in Nigeria

The importance of examining the effect currency fluctuation has on commercial banks profitability cannot be over emphasized, particularly, given this era of Global financial integration. Most commercial banks are said to suffer from erosion of their profit arising from their exposure to fluctuations in international currencies, especially, when proper hedging strategies are not adopted. This study used the balanced panel methodology and data obtained from 12 largest banks in Nigeria to examine the relative effect of currency fluctuation on commercial banks profitability. In other to get the independent effect of currency fluctuation on commercial banks profitability the study also introduced four bank characteristic variables (bank size, bank divestment, non-performing loans and capital adequacy ratio) into the model. The initial result without the bank characteristic variables revealed that the dollar and pounds exerted a 6 percent and 11 percent negative effect on commercial banks profitability respectively. Introduction of the bank specific variables into the model saw the magnitude of the currency fluctuation reduced by 1 percent and 5 percent for the dollar and pounds respectively. More specifically, bank characteristic variables, banks size and capital adequacy exerted positive significant effect on commercial banks profitability while non-performing loans and bank divestment exerted a negative effect on commercial banks profitability. The study therefore recommended that banks should increase their divestment options as well as switch their trading options to the less volatile currency (as a measure of hedging against currency risk) in periods of severe currency fluctuations. Key words. Banks profitability, capital adequacy ratio, currency fluctuation, exchange rate risk

Determination of Baseline Data of Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Surface Waters in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Surface waters in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State are the predominant sources of potable water for the rapidly increasing population in the area with the presence of three tertiary institutions. Hence, the objective of this paper was to determine baseline data of the physicochemical and microbiological quality of surface waters in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using standard microbiological and analytical procedures and values compared to the World Health Organization WHO and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) recommended levels. Results showed that water from streams 3, 4, 5 and 7 were good as source of drinking water. Water from Ikot Oku Nsit and Anyam streams had high levels of 28.46 mg/l and 23.05 mg/l, 46.14mg/l and 46.51 mg/l, 51.85 mg/l and 56.42 mg/l for Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solids and nitrates respectively, making it necessary for treatment. Water from stream 6 had high values of Nitrates and Fecal Coliform well above the WHO recommended levels rendering it not good for human consumption without treatment. Proper sensitization of the populace on water management, regular assessment of the surface waters and the revamping of the public water works at Afaha Nsit, have been recommended

Investment Portfolio of Banks and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Review from 1985 to 2015

In this study, the relationship between investment portfolio of banks and economic growth in Nigeria was examined. The work was designed to find out the structure and trend of bank investment portfolio in Nigeria and to establish the relationship between gross domestic product, unemployment rate, per capita income and bank investments in treasury bills, bonds and shares in Nigeria from 1985 to 2015. The desk research design was used and secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin, publications of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as well as internet sources, among others. The data collected were analyzed using the regression models and various test statistics including the t�statistic, f-ratio and Dublin Watson statistic. It is discovered that there exist significant relationship between the variables of economic growth and the variables of investment portfolio of banks in Nigeria. It was therefore concluded that although; there exist statistical significant relationship between the variables of economic growth and those of investment portfolio of banks in Nigeria, the real situation in the country is rather that of marginal and/or insignificant relationship. This is in view of the fact that even when there is an observed continuous increment in the total investment portfolio of banks, the level of economic growth in the country is rather abysmal. From the conclusions above, it was recommended, among others, that bank should restructure their investment portfolio with focus on long term securities to ensure increase in the maturity and the volume of funds made available to the borrower through such investments and the various investment portfolio adjustments by banks in reaction to monetary policy changes and interest rate movements in the country should be properly managed, timed and harnessed with the bank policies, objectives and economic growth aspiration and direction of the government. Keywords: Investment portfolio, Portfolio mix, Economic growth, Shift ability theory and Profit maximization theory

Healthcare Financing and Health outcomes in Nigeria: A State Level Study using Multivariate Analysis

The study utilizes the multivariate analytical tool to describe the relationship that exists between health care financing, health facility utilization and health outcome in Nigeria. The focus of this research was on women who are of child bearing age and who had given birth to at least one child within the past five years. The study adopted the stratified sampling technique comprising of two rural Local Government Areas and one Urban Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study demonstrated that the high levels of infant mortality and morbidity rate was associated with the high incidence of out-of-pocket payment, and the wide disparity and inequality in income distribution. The study further observed a disproportionate disparity in the spatial distribution of health facilities, with concentration of health facilities at the urban areas rather than the rural areas, which of course contributed to the poor service demand. The studies therefore recommend among other things the review of the current Federation revenue distribution formula, with emphasis given to the Local Government Areas (who are the principal institution responsible for primary health care in Nigeria) and the speedy implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)

Healthcare Financing and Health outcomes in Nigeria: A State Level Study using Multivariate Analysis

The study utilizes the multivariate analytical tool to describe the relationship that exists between health care financing, health facility utilization and health outcome in Nigeria. The focus of this research was on women who are of child bearing age and who had given birth to at least one child within the past five years. The study adopted the stratified sampling technique comprising of two rural Local Government Areas and one Urban Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study demonstrated that the high levels of infant mortality and morbidity rate was associated with the high incidence of out-of-pocket payment, and the wide disparity and inequality in income distribution. The study further observed a disproportionate disparity in the spatial distribution of health facilities, with concentration of health facilities at the urban areas rather than the rural areas, which of course contributed to the poor service demand. The studies therefore recommend among other things the review of the current Federation revenue distribution formula, with emphasis given to the Local Government Areas (who are the principal institution responsible for primary health care in Nigeria) and the speedy implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)

Measuring Technical Efficiency of Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare) Production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Output-oriented technical efficiency indices were estimated by stochastic production frontier functions to survey data collected from 60 waterleaf farmers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with the aid of structured questionnaire. Using the maximum likelihood estimation technique, asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe efficiency determinants. Specifically, farm size, planting materials, labour, fertilizer and farmyard manure were estimated to be major determinants in waterleaf production. In this regard, a unit increase in any of the factors would result to less than proportionate increase in the output of waterleaf harvested. With regards to inefficiency model specified, the finding revealed the relative importance of farmers’ ages, household size and contact with extension agents in explaining the observed distribution of the farm level inefficiency indices. Findings also revealed a mean efficiency index of 0.65 implying that output from maize production could be increased by 35 percent using available technology. Key words: Technical efficiency Talinum triangulare Stochastic frontier Nigeri

Estimating Exportable Tree-Crops Relative Price Variability and Inflation Movement Under Different Policy Regimes in Nigeria

This study modeled the link and impact of inflation on tree-crop commodity relative price variability in Nigeria under different agricultural policy regimes. Empirical results revealed that aggregate inflation had a negative non-linear impact on relative price variability of tree-crop commodities in Nigeria. Furthermore, the results revealed that tree-crop commodities in Nigeria had higher producer price instability indices between 1970 and 2005. Also, Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) policies brought about an upward shift in the coefficient of inflation while Civilian Post-SAP policies affected relative price variability directly and negatively through inflation. Based on the findings, the study suggested re-assessment and improvement of policy framework of SAP and CPSAP to ensure more efficiency in resources allocation within the sub-sector, in addition to provision of input subsidy during high inflation period. Keywords: Tree Crops, relative price variability, inflation, policy regimes, Nigeri

Influence of Laboratory Technicians Characteristics on Support to Science Teaching in Secondary Schools in Uyo Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The influence of academic qualification, age, gender and years of experience of laboratory technicians on the support they provide to science teaching in secondary schools in Uyo Senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, was investigated using questionnaire to collect data from eighty (80) science laboratory technicians out of the 125 posted to public secondary schools within the study area. With a calculated F ratio of 6.297 at 2 and 77 degrees of freedom being greater than the table value of 3.07, educational qualification of technicians significantly influenced their support to teaching of science subjects. A calculated F ratio of 2.061 at 3 and 76 degrees of freedom being less than the table value of 2.68 at 0.05 degrees of freedom, age of laboratory technicians was found not to significantly influence support to science teaching. An F ratio of 3.393 obtained at 2 and 77 degrees of freedom and 0.05 level of significance, made the years of working experience of the technicians to significantly influence their support to science teaching. With a calculated t-value of 0.089 being less than the table value of 1.660 at 78 degrees of freedom, gender of laboratory technicians was found not to significantly influence their support to science teaching. Young and newly employed science laboratory technicians should be encouraged to obtain higher qualification and motivated to stay to increase their efficiency

Factors Influencing Fertilizer Use Intensity among Small Holder Crop Farmers in Abak Agricultural Zone in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study analyzes factors that influenced fertilizer use intensity among arable crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 150 arable crop farmers in the zone. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze data collected. The result reveals that majority of farmers were getting old and there is low social capital accumulation among arable crop farmers. Also, age, gender, household size, farm size, perceived price of fertilizer, value of farm output, extension agent visit, number of goats and sheep own by farmers, and decision to own poultry by farmers as well as the distance to fertilizer selling point are significant factors affecting fertilizer use intensity among arable crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone in Akwa Ibom state. The study recommends that Akwa Ibom state government should further subsidize the price of fertilizer to make fertilizer more affordable to small holder farmers. In addition, arable crop farming households in the state should be sensitized on the current method of family planning as this would help to reduce non-farm cost and help increase fertilizer procurement. Furthermore, the extension unit of the state ministry of Agriculture should be strengthened to educate arable crop farmers more on fertilizer usage. Keywords: Fertilizer, Crop, arable, farmer, production, Akwa Ibo