AN ARDL ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECT OF OIL PRICE INSTABILITY ON FOREIGN RESERVE IN NIGERIA (2015-2022)

Abstract

The paper employed auto regressive distributive lag (ARDL) model to examine the effect of oil price instability on foreign reserve in Nigeria using recent monthly time series data over the period of 2015-2022. The results of ARDL Bound cointegration indicated a presence of cointegration in the model which confirms an existence of long run relationship between oil price instability and foreign reserve. The findings of ARDL long run analysis show that oil price instability have negative and significant effect on foreign reserve. Likewise, inflation rate has a negative and significant effect on foreign reserve. On the other hand, oil revenue is found to have a positive and significant effect on foreign reserve. Furthermore, the ARDL short run estimates indicate that an existence of a short run relationship between oil prices and foreign reserve. From the findings, the coefficient of error correction term indicates that about 30% of the discrepancy between the actual and the long run or equilibrium value of foreign reserve is corrected or eliminated each month. Furthermore, the results of granger causality test indicate a unidirectional causality between oil price instability and foreign reserve. Based on the empirical findings, the paper suggests the need for the policy makers to adopt policy framework that will get rid of corruption and ensure macroeconomic stability. Policymakers should also take steps to mitigate the negative effects of oil price fluctuations on foreign reserve in Nigeria.