The impact of exchange rate volatility on the Nigerian economic growth: An empirical investigation

Aim/purpose – Exchange rate volatility has remained a serious issue affecting economic stability, especially in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed at examining the impact of exchange rate volatility on economic growth in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model and the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique to analyse the time series data from the period January 1980 to December 2017. The study used the Augmented Dickey–Fuller and Philips–Perron tests to determine the presence of a unit root and the Johansen co-integration test to establish the relationship among the variables in the study. Findings – The results of the estimates offer evidence that exchange rate volatility persists throughout the study period, and has a negative and significant effect on the economic growth of Nigeria. This result suggests that excessive volatility due to low inflows is inimical to the growth of the Nigeria economy. The findings of the study demonstrate a negative and significant relationship between inflation and economic growth. Moreover, while credit to the private sector and crude oil prices exerts positive and significant relationship with growth, the relationship between money supply, trade openness and government expenditure and economic growth is positive but insignificant. Research implications/limitations – Therefore, it is important for the government to pursue policies and programs that would help ensure exchange rate stability and boost local production for both consumption and export. In addition, a holistic program of economic reforms is important to complement the exchange rate policy and stimulate economic growth. Originality/value/contribution – The study shed some light on exchange rate volatility and confirmed its adverse effect and the importance of a stable environment on economic growth. In addition, the study introduced crude oil prices as a variable to the study of exchange rate volatility and economic growth from a developing country perspective

Agricultural financing to guarantee food safety in an emerging nation: a case study of Nigeria

Investment in agriculture is very crucial in the present situation of Nigeria. The effort to overcome food insecurity can only be efficacious if steps in the right direction will be taken. At this juncture in the Nigerian economic history, the right step to take is to adequately finance agriculture in order to ensure sufficient food production and safety that will save the future of the country. This study emphasizes on investment in agriculture to guarantee food security in Nigeria. Several other studies focus on the numerous challenges food production in Nigeria suffer, however, it is important to come to a conclusion that agriculture requires huge financial investment to thrive. This study examines the impact of agricultural financing and output on food production using data from 2007−2019. The regression result reveals that agricultural output is significant and positive in affecting food production and safety but agricultural financing is immaterial in guaranteeing sufficient food production in the country. This result gives evidence that investment in the agricultural sector will be the solution to food insecurity in Nigeria. The government is by this study encouraged to increase the budget on agriculture in order to boost food supply and safety in the country

A Mismatch between External Debt Finances and Consumption Cost in Nigeria

This study scrutinizes the influence of external obligation on the cost of living in Nigeria. In recent times, Nigeria has been tagged as the headquarters of world poverty due to the unaffordable cost of living that has resulted in all manner of crimes prevailing in the country. However, the role of foreign loans being contracted by the government in reducing consumption cost has become a concern, hence this investigation. This study made use of a secondary form of statistical records covering the period 2000–2018. The result of the data analysis has shown that external debt does not improve consumption cost, but rather aids the rising cost of living in Nigeria. In a nutshell, the study suggests that the government should invest a large chunk of the borrowed funds into agriculture and local manufacturing for sufficient food supply and provision of goods and services at reasonable costs. This study recommends support for infant industries and entrepreneurship to reduce the consumption cost in the country. The study also encourages the government to seek debt rearrangement or outright revocation by the lending institutions and countries

A Mismatch between External Debt Finances and Consumption Cost in Nigeria

This study scrutinizes the influence of external obligation on the cost of living in Nigeria. In recent times, Nigeria has been tagged as the headquarters of world poverty due to the unaffordable cost of living that has resulted in all manner of crimes prevailing in the country. However, the role of foreign loans being contracted by the government in reducing consumption cost has become a concern, hence this investigation. This study made use of a secondary form of statistical records covering the period 2000–2018. The result of the data analysis has shown that external debt does not improve consumption cost, but rather aids the rising cost of living in Nigeria. In a nutshell, the study suggests that the government should invest a large chunk of the borrowed funds into agriculture and local manufacturing for sufficient food supply and provision of goods and services at reasonable costs. This study recommends support for infant industries and entrepreneurship to reduce the consumption cost in the country. The study also encourages the government to seek debt rearrangement or outright revocation by the lending institutions and countries