Impact of Capital Expenditure on Exchange Rate within the Period of the Second and Fourth Republic in Nigeria

Government involvement in economic activities through fiscal policy, according to Keynes is very crucial for the growth of the economy. The government uses fiscal policy to regulate the economy through expansion or contraction of its spending consisting of recurrent and capital expenditures. However fiscal expansion tends to lead to increase in exchange rate. This paper examines the impact of government capital expenditure on exchange rate in Nigeria, using disaggregate approach. The finding indicates that Nigerian government capital expenditure, particularly government spending on social and community services has a statistically significant impact on exchange rate in Nigeria, while capital expenditures on administration, economic services and transfer are not statistically significant in respect to their impact on exchange rate. Based on this finding, policy recommendation was made that government should ensure strict compliance with the procurement act in the awards of government capital projects contracts to avoid over invoices. More so, high percentage local content should be ensure in all capital projects to minimize imports which may increase demand for foreign currency and put pressure on exchange rate

Assessment Of The Effect Of Socio-Economic Infrasturcture On Rural Economy In Kaduna State, Nigeria

The paper examines the effect of socio-economic infrastructure of the rural areas on the rural economy in Kaduna State. The study adopts a correlation analysis, a Multicollinearity and Cronbach Alpha Reliability tests as well as regression analysis on primary data. Findings from the study reveal that there is a positive relationship between socioeconomic infrastructure and rural economy, while the multicollinearity test shows absence of high correlation among the independent variables and the Cronbach Alpha confirms internal consistency of the variables. Furthermore, the regression analysis indicates that socio-economic infrastructure, particularly road, electricity supply, market and telecommunication infrastructure all have positive and statistically significant effects on the rural economy. The paper therefore, recommends that governments should increase efforts towards developing the infrastructure in the rural areas in order to facilitate the growth of the economy in the rural sectors

Air Transportation Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria

This work is an evaluation of the influence of air transport sector development on economic growth in Nigerian. Over the years, various governments of Nigeria have put in place a series of policy instruments for the development of the aviation sector as sinews to bolster the desired growth. But air transport system continues to mirror inefficiency, mismanagement and airline mishap. This study developed a series of econometrics models including dynamic ordinary regression equation, cointegration, error correction model and granger causality techniques to examine the relationship between air transport and economic growth. The analyses suggests a positive influence of air transport on economic growth, a long run equilibrium relationship and a causal unidirectional relations from air transport to economic growth. The diagnostic test for the normality of the model showed that the model functional form is adequate, stable with no serial correlation. From the analysis, this study recommends a proactive and dynamic cohesive transport policy that benefits all the stakeholders. Also, the sector must improve on its managerial expertise guided by adequate transparency and accountability in order to achieve results and develop the sector to an international standard worthy of emulation. Keywords: Air transport, Economic growth, Econometric analysi

Experimental Analysis for Lubricant and Punch Selection in Shear Extrusion of Aa-6063

Shear extrusion is a forming process which is based on combined backward cup-forward rod extrusion. This extrusion process is attractive due its potential to achieve severe plastic deformation thus enabling texture and microstructural control of materials. Furthermore, the economic potential of shear extrusion for mass production and production of complex shapes provides for numerous applications in automotive, transportation, aero-space and other industries. However, a trending challenge in the use of this method for complex shapes is the design and selection of tools to achieve a high quality product. This paper focuses on deep study of shear extrusion of AA-6063. The process was studied experimentally using variables which affect the forming load as well as the quality of the product. It is concluded from the load-displacement and stress plots that a punch with large diameter and small punch land is desirable for easy forming of the material during shear extrusion. Analysis of the effect of lubricants on deformation load and stress shows that palm oil lubricant remains the best lubricant of the four lubricants examined since its gives the minimum load obtained during shear extrusion

Institutional Factors and Personal Income Tax Compliance in Kaduna State-Nigeria

This study investigates the Institutional factors and Personal income tax compliance in Kaduna State- Nigeria. The population consist of all 991 registered self-employed business men and women that registered with the Directorate of Poverty Alleviation and lives in Kaduna, kafanchan  and Zaria cities of the State. Stratified random sampling was used to select the 285 respondents that form the sample size. Data were collected through administering of questionnaire while the techniques for data analysis are the descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. The study finds among others that good governance and taxpayers’ awareness have a positive significant relationship with the level of taxpayers’ compliance in the State. The study, therefore recommends that effective communication is necessary in order to publicize tax activities, mainly on compliance issues to the general public. Also, transparency and accountability should be the guiding principles in thought and action of government as the basis for good governance in the State. This can be achieved through aggressive human capital development, as this will go a long way in encouraging taxpayers to be more compliant in the state. Keywords: Institutional Factors. Personal Income Tax, Tax Complianc

Land Tenure Systems and Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria: A Case of Rice Production

This study examined land tenure systems and rice productivity in Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of three hundred and forty-nine (349) rice farmers for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, total factor productivity, and the Stochastic production frontier model. The study revealed that a large portion of the land (over 94%) used for rice production was acquired through inheritance mode of land acquisition and communal type of land tenure system widely practised. The result of total factor productivity indicated that 62.18% of the rice farmers were at a sub-optimal productivity level. The results of the stochastic production frontier function revealed that seed (P< 0.10), and fertilizer application (P<0.01) were the significant factors influencing the technical efficiency of rice production in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the current land use act and policy should be amended to prevent concurrent grabbing of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes to enhance the availability and accessibility of land for agriculture

Impact of Public External Debt on Exchange Rate in Nigeria

With continuous increase in public expenditures, and low capital formation in many developing countries, many governments have resorted into borrowing either or both within and outside the country. However, most borrowings come with interest attached, which results in debt servicing. Serving external debt may involve demand for foreign currency which tends to affect the exchange rate of the country. Hence, this study examines the impact of public external debt on exchange rate in Nigeria. Using the Ordinary Least Square, on the secondary data sourced from the CBN and DMO among other sources, findings reveals that all the dependent variables, that is, external debt, debt service payment and foreign reserve proved to be statistically significant in explaining exchange rate fluctuation in Nigeria within the period of observation, with debt service payment having the strongest effect (Coeff: 0.4443). Based on the finding, the study recommends that government should ensure that all public borrowing, where and when necessary, be directed towards productive economic activities which can generate returns to service and pay up the debt at maturity. Keywords: Public Debt, Foreign reserve, Exchange rate, Expenditur

Anchor Borrower Programme on Agricultural Commodity Price and Employment Generation in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Low investment in the agricultural sector, as well as problem of financing are among the major challenges hindering farmers in the rural areas engaging in mechanized farming that might increase food supply, and thereby checking the agricultural commodity prices, and possibly creating more job opportunity in the agricultural sector. In an effort to meet the food supply for the growing population of the country, the government introduced various policies aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in basic food supply, among these policies is the Anchor Borrower Programme. This study examines the impact of Anchor Borrower Program on agricultural commodity price and employment generation in Kebbi state, Nigeria. Data were collected through interview and structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 400 farmers in Argungu L.G.A, of which 360 questionnaire were correctly filled and returned. A multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data. The results reveal that Anchor Borrower Programmes (ABP) supports for farmer have a positive and statistically significant impact on agricultural commodity price (ACP) and employment generation (EMPG) in agricultural sector in Kebbi state, particularly in Argungu LGA. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that anchor borrower programme policy in Nigeria should be encouraged and subjected to periodic review so as to provide more platforms for employment generation and stabilize agricultural commodity price in Kebbi state, particularly in Argungu LGA

Identifying the Relationship between Students Computer Hardware Skills in the Use of Electronic Information Resources in University Libraries in South-West, Nigeria

This study determined relationship between students’ computer hardware skills in the use of electronic information resources in University libraries in South-West, Nigeria. This study adopted correlation research design involving simple and multiple linear methods. The population of this study is 85,526. The sample for the study was 398. Proportionate sampling techniques were used to draw the sample. The findings revealed that there is a moderate positive and significant relationship between the students’ computer hardware skills and their use of EIR in university libraries. Also, there is a moderate positive and significant relationship between the students’ computer software skills and their use of EIR in university libraries in South- West, Nigeria; and there is a high and significant relationship among students’ computer hardware skills, computer software skill and their use of electronic information resources in the university library in South-West, Nigeria. Based on the above findings, the study recommended among others that undergraduate students should enhance their computer hardware skills since it is related with the use of electronic information resources in the universities. Research implications were also offered

Combined administration of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata leaf extracts stall Indomethacin-mediated gastric mucosal onslaught in rats.

Background: Despite the rapidly changing concept of gastric ulcer management from conventional vagotomy, H2 receptor antagonists and antacids to proton pump inhibitors, gastrointestinal toxicity remains an impediment to their application in clinical practice. Combined administration of two or more plant extracts with therapeutic efficacy may proffer solution to this menace. This study investigated the combined gastroprotective effects of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata leaf extracts against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were randomized into six groups of five animals each and ulceration was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg body weight). Ulcerated rats were orally administered with Spondias mombin, Ficus exasperata at 200 mg/kg body weightand esomeprazole (a reference drug) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body  weight once daily for 21 days after ulcer induction. At the end of the experiment, gastric secretions and antioxidant parameters were evaluated.Results: We observed that the significantly increased (P < 0.05) ulcer index, gastric acidity, malondialdehyde level and pepsin activity were markedly reduced following co-administration of S. mombin and F. exasperata. The extracts also effectively attenuated the reduced activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as pH, mucin content and reduced glutathione level in the ulcerated rats.Discussion and Conclusion: These findings are indicative of gastroprotective and antioxidative attributes of the two extracts which is also evident in the % protective index value obtained. The available evidences in this study suggest that the complementary effects of S. mombin and F. exasperata proved to be capable of ameliorating indomethacin-mediated gastric ulceration and the probable mechanisms are via antioxidative and proton pump inhibition.Key words: Esomeprazole; Gastroprotective; NSAIDS; Proton pump inhibitor; Ulceration