Twin Deficit in Nigeria: A Re-Examination

This study re-examines the long run relationship between the budget and current account deficits in an oil-dependent open economy like Nigeria using a multivariate Granger causality test within the VECM framework. This result confirmed the existence of a long run relationship between the budget and current account deficit in Nigeria, thus supporting the Mudell-Fleming theory and refuting the Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis (REH). The causality result indicates no causality between budget deficit and current account while the current account deficit causes budget account deficit. This implies that reduction in the current account deficits will help reduce the “twin deficit” dilemma

Government health care spending and the poor: evidence from Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not government health care spending reduces the poor-rich differences in health status. Specifically, it aims to assess the health status of the poor vis-à-vis government health spending in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – Regression analysis was carried out using the Ordinary Least Square method of estimation while secondary data was used. Findings – It was found that despite the increase in most components of health care spending in Nigeria, the health status of the average Nigerian and the condition of health infrastructure has not improved appreciably. Also, the poor have significantly worse health status than the non-poor and they (the poor) are more strongly affected by public spending on health care relative to the non-poor. Thus, the difference in impact of spending between the poor and the non-poor could be substantial. Originality/value – This study provides information that will help reposition policies on government spending, especially on health care, so as to enhance and improve the heath status of the poor in Nigeria, thereby reducing the poor-rich differences in health status.Expenditure, Government policy, Health services, Nigeria, Poverty, Public finance

Poverty reduction Policies and Pro-Poor Growth in Nigeria

Recently the depth and severity of extreme poverty in Nigeria has been alarming. And over the years, the government undertook some poverty reduction policies with the aim of reducing, if not totally eradicating, poverty. These policies were expected to at least raise the standard of living of Nigerians. The impact of these policies on alleviating poverty has been contentious. Some studies in the past have argued that the poor has benefited more from these policies, some found that there was positive real growth yet poverty and inequality still worsened, and this can be traced to the nature of growth pursued and the poverty reduction policies that underline it. This study empirically evaluates macroeconomic policies vis-oor growth in Nigeria using secondary data covering the period 1960 to 2000. The study found among others that economic growth in Nigeria has been slightly pro-poor. That is, growth was actually weakly pro-poor. Also, those that are far below the poverty line have not really been enjoying the benefits of growth. Infact, the benefits getting to them has been decreasing at an increasing rate. And economic growth in rural areas will be slightly more pro-poor than in urban areas. Overall growth in Nigeria is not necessarily always pro-poor.economic growth, poverty

DO HIGHER LEVELS OF SCHOOLING LEAD TO HIGHER RETURNS TO EDUCATION IN NIGERIA?

The study found that completed years of schooling and experience were to large extent important variables that influenced earnings both in terms of parameters’ significance, direction and magnitude. Wage returns to additional years of schooling completed increased as the level of education increases, thus, the higher the level of education the higher the rate of return to the individual. Also, only the post-schooling years for higher education impacted relevantly in terms of direction and magnitude on earnings of the concerned individuals.

Determinants of the choice of health care provider in Nigeria

Provider choice, Health care, Public sector health care, Health care utilization, I10,