FDI and Economic Growth Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria (1970-2012)

The study has examined the impact of FDI on economic growth of Nigeria using time series data between 1970 and 2012. Secondary data were sourced from Central Bank Statistical Bulletin. An exploratory research design was conducted using OLS, ADF unit root test and Pair-wise Granger causality test. The major objective of this paper is to analyse the impact as well as direction of causality between FDI and economic growth in Nigeria. The result of the OLS shows a positive and significant relationship between FDI and real GDP proxy for economic growth. Also, granger causality test shows a unidirectional causality between the FDI and Nigerian economic growth. The existence of a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth necessitates the need to continue implementing policies that will attract FDI especially in the non-oil sectors of Nigeria. The study also recommends provision of adequate security especially in the North-eastern part of the country in order to control terrorist activities and pave way for more investment and as well domestic investment should also be encourage through providing necessary incentives to local businessmen. Key words: FDI, Economic growth, Granger causality and OLS.

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Poverty in Nigeria and its Gender Differentials

Poverty reduction is one of the greatest challenges facing international community and it is an invaluable requirement for sustainable development. This study was conducted to empirically examine the influence of socioeconomic as well as demographic variables on households’ vulnerability to social exclusion or deprivation with more emphasis on gender inequality. The study employed binary probit regression analysis of poverty as well as Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to examine factors responsible for inequality with respect to socio-economic fortunes among Nigerian households. Evidence from the study revealed that socio-demographic variables as well as labor characteristics are strong determinants of poverty in the country, and the findings confirmed to the theoretical propositions on causes of poverty. However, empirical results from the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition show that female headed households are more disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic deprivation than the male headed households. The study concluded by presenting concluding remarks and policy implications for policymakers toward poverty reduction in Nigeria

SOCIO - ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLDS FUEL CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA

Attainment of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is one of the goals for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing data and statistic suggest that high proportion of households in less developed countries heavily rely on solid fuels for domestic requirements. Also, recent data revealed that in Nigeria over 70 percent of households depend on fuel wood for cooking which indicate the task ahead of policy makers in the country for ensuring access to efficient sources of energy before the expiration of sustainable development goals. In this study we empirically examined socio-economic factors that influence households’ likelihood of energy consumption in Nigeria. In order to achieve our specific objectives, we adopt 2013 demographic health survey dataset for Nigeria and multinomial logistic regression was conducted in analyzing the factors affecting households’ decision for energy demand. Evidence from the study revealed that demographic characteristics, economic status, public awareness and social variables are strong determinants of households’ energy choice in the country and conformed to the propositions of “Energy Ladder Hypothesis”. We concluded by presenting concluding remarks and policy implications for decision making toward ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and efficient energy in Nigeria

Hypolipidemic Activity of Solvents Extracts of Khaya senegalensis Stem Bark in Diet Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a modifiable risk factor of an important killer disease “cardiovascular diseases”, which account for as much mortality as infectious disease, nutritional deficiency and maternal and prenatal disease combined together. Aim: To investigate the effect of oral administration of Aqueous-methanol stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis and its solvents (hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate) extracts on lipid profile of hyperlipidemic rats. Methodology: Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats via feeding on high lipid diet (HLD) for 6 weeks. A total of fifty five (55) rats were divided into two phases: For phase one, twenty five (25) rats were placed into five groups (GI - GV) of five rats each. GI served as normal control, GII serves as hyperlipidemic control group, while GIII, GIV and GV were hyperlipidemic and administered with crude extract (E1) at a dose of 250mg/kg, 350mg/kg and 450mg/kg body weight respectively for two weeks. For the second phase, thirty (30) rats were placed into six (6) groups of five (5) rats. GI served as normal control, GII served as hyperlipidemic control group, while GIII, GIV GV and GVI were hyperlipidemic and administered with hexane extract (E2), chloroform extract (E3), ethyl acetate extract (E4) and the residue (E5) at a dose of 250mg/kg body weight respectively for two weeks. The animals from each group were euthanized and serum was collected for analysis lipid profile (Total Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol and Triglyceride). Results: The research found that aqueous methanol extract of Khaya senegalensis possess hypolipidemic ability with the ethyl acetate extract showing the highest potency with a significant (p<0.01) decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol level when compared to hyperlipidemic control. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract from the crude extract possesses the highest hypolipidemic activity. Keywords: High lipid diets; hyperlipidemia; lipid profile; Khaya senegalensis; sequential extraction

Evaluation of heavy metals in agricultural soils from Katsina state Nigeria

This work contributes to the monitoring of Agricultural soil pollution in Katsina State, North western Nigeria by assessing the degree of heavy metal pollution in Agricultural soil samples. The study was conducted in the year 2017 within some catchment areas located within the 3 senatorial zones that constitute to make up the state (Katsina senatorial zone: Birchi, Dutsinma and Katsina; Daura senatorial zone: Daura, Ingawa and Zango; Funtua senatorial zone: Dabai, Funtua, Kafur, Malunfashi and Matazu).  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. . Several indices were used to assess the metal contamination levels in the Agricultural soil samples, namely; Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Degree of Contamination (Cd) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The result of this study has shown that generally among the heavy metals evaluated, the highest concentration was observed for Fe (range: 20.195-38.347 ppm), followed by Zn (range: 0.528-1.134 ppm), Pb (range: 0.256-0.627 ppm), Mn (range: 0.261-0.572 ppm) and Cr (range: 0.093-0.344 ppm). While Cd has the lowest concentration (range: 0.022-0.043 ppm). For all the site sampled the heavy metal Ni was below detection level (BDL). From the results of heavy metals I-geo values, according to Muller’s classification,  soil samples from Birchi, Daura, Dutsinma, Kafur and Zango were unpolluted (class 0) while soil samples from Dabai, Funtua, Ingawa, Katsina, Malunfashi and Matazu are moderately polluted (class 1). The result for the enrichment factor has shown that with the exception of the heavy metal Fe, which shows significant enrichment for all the sites sampled all the other heavy metals show deficiency to minimal enrichment. Also based on the contamination factors for all soil samples the heavy metal Fe has a CF values range of 1.2861-2.3240, indicating that the Agricultural soil samples are moderately contaminated with Fe. In contrast, the rest of the heavy metals exhibit low contamination in general. The value of PLI ranges from 0.2408 to 0.4935, indicating unpolluted to moderate pollution, with the sampling site for Katsina displaying the highest PLI value while the sampling site of Ingawa has the lowest PLI. The Eri values for all samples are all < 40, presenting low ecological risk.  The results suggest that the Agricultural soils samples from Katsina state has low contamination by the heavy metals evaluated.Key words: Agricultural soils, Heavy metals, Katsina state, Pollution load index, Contamination factor

Phytochemical Screening and Proximate Analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca Kernel

Study on the evaluation of nutritional quality as well phytochemical screening of poorly utilized plant products is of immense importance. This research work was aimed at screening the phytochemicals as well as proximate analysis of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel using standard methods. Phytochemical screening of the kernel reveal the presence of Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Reducing sugars, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins and Volatile oils with the absence of Anthraquinones and Phenolic compounds. Quantification of the phytochemicals content shows a high content of Saponins, Flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides, Alkaloids and Tannins. Proximate analysis of the kernel shows high Lipid and Protein content with very low carbohydrates and crude fiber, ash and moisture content. Keywords: phytochemicals, proximate, Balanites aegyptiaca, and Kerne

Evaluation of heavy metals in some locally produced food seasonings in Katsina State Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in seeds used as raw materials in producing local food seasonings (Locust bean, Soya beans and seed of Hibiscus subdariffa) and the produced local seasonings (Daddawar Kalwa, Daddawar waken Soya and Daddawar Botso) in Katsina state Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in some local seeds used in the preparation of local seasonings and their processed products used in food seasoning in the study area, compare the effect of processing on concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards. Samples of seeds used in local processing of food seasonings were collected in the year 2017 from the selected area.  Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spetrophotometry) method. The difference between concentrations of heavy metals in unprocessed and processed seed samples was performed by the use of T-test statistical analysis. Results from this study has shown that concentration values of Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn and Zn in the  samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The results have indicated that the estimated daily intake of the heavy metals were lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA (2013) in both samples and the health risk index (HRI) for all the heavy metals were <1. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for the samples was in the decreasing order Cd>Pb>Mn>Fe>Ni>Zn>Cr, with the heavy metal Cd having a value of more than 1 which is a cause for concern. Key words: Soya beans, Heavy metals, Katsina, seasonings, locust beans

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils From Katsina State Nigeria

This work contributes to the monitoring of Agricultural soil pollution in Katsina State, North western Nigeria by assessing the degree of heavy metal pollution in Agricultural soil samples. The study was conducted in the year 2017 within some catchment areas located within the 3 senatorial zones that constitute to make up the state (Katsina senatorial zone: Birchi, Dutsinma and Katsina; Daura senatorial zone: Daura, Ingawa and Zango; Funtua senatorial zone: Dabai, Funtua, Kafur, Malunfashi and Matazu). Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. . Several indices were used to assess the metal contamination levels in the Agricultural soil samples, namely; Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Degree of Contamination (Cd) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The result of this study has shown that generally among the heavy metals evaluated, the highest concentration was observed for Fe (range: 20.195-38.347 ppm), followed by Zn (range: 0.528-1.134 ppm), Pb (range: 0.256-0.627 ppm), Mn (range: 0.261-0.572 ppm) and Cr (range: 0.093-0.344 ppm). While Cd has the lowest concentration (range: 0.022-0.043 ppm). For all the site sampled the heavy metal Ni was below detection level (BDL). From the results of heavy metals I-geo values, according to Muller's classification, soil samples from Birchi, Daura, Dutsinma, Kafur and Zango were unpolluted (class 0) while soil samples from Dabai, Funtua, Ingawa, Katsina, Malunfashi and Matazu are moderately polluted (class 1). The result for the enrichment factor has shown that with the exception of the heavy metal Fe, which shows significant enrichment for all the sites sampled all the other heavy metals show deficiency to minimal enrichment. Also based on the contamination factors for all soil samples the heavy metal Fe has a CF values range of 1.2861-2.3240, indicating that the Agricultural soil samples are moderately contaminated with Fe. In contrast, the rest of the heavy metals exhibit low contamination in general. The value of PLI ranges from 0.2408 to 0.4935, indicating unpolluted to moderate pollution, with the sampling site for Katsina displaying the highest PLI value while the sampling site of Ingawa has the lowest PLI. The Eri values for all samples are all < 40, presenting low ecological risk. The results suggest that the Agricultural soils samples from Katsina state has low contamination by the heavy metals evaluated