Fiscal federalism and economic development in Nigeria: An auto-regressive distributed lag approach

This study examines the impact of fiscal federalism on economic development in Nigeria for the period 1981–2017 using the auto-regressive distributed lag approach. The data for the study were sourced from various issues of Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and International Country Risk Guide. It was found that revenue decentralization with a coefficient of −2.15 significantly retarded economic development at 5%, while expenditure decentralization with a coefficient of 2.935 significantly increased economic development at 5%. The overall decentralization indicator, captured as simultaneity measure with a coefficient of 4.264 significantly increased economic development at 1%. From the empirical evidence, fiscal federalism will encourage economic development in Nigeria. These findings support and reinforce the need for greater decentralization of fiscal responsibilities to sub-national government. Also, government should enact legislations to improve bureaucratic quality, and implement appropriate security reforms to further strengthen law and order to ensure economic development in Nigeria

Conflict and Cooperation in the Global Arena: A Historical Perspective of Nigeria-France Relations, 1905-1985

This article reviews the periods of crises and rapprochement in Nigeria’s relations with France. The historical landmarks in their diplomatic ties are suggestive of the iron laws that govern international relations. These laws favour the strong and sanction the weak. France’s pre-eminent status in the international arena during this period, 1905-1985 dwarfed Nigeria’s voice and actions and ensured that Nigeria pandered to the whims and caprices of France. The paper suggests ways in which the Nigerian government and indeed Africa can checkmate France’s influence on the continent, eliminate tension in their relations on the long run and also engender accommodation and mutual respect between Nigeria and Franc