Comparative Study of the Impact of Oil Rent on Healthcare in Nigeria and Cameroon: A Three Stage Methodical Approach

Abstract

The study comparatively examined the impact of oil rent on healthcare in Nigeria and Cameroon from 1995 to 2015. The objectives of the study are to; study the trend of oil rents and healthcare in Nigeria and Cameroon; examine the relationship between oil rent and healthcare of Nigerians and Cameroonians and determine the impact of mineral rent on the healthcare of Nigeria and Cameroon. To achieve these objectives panel data were collected on health, oil rent and mineral rent and analyzed using the econometric techniques of panel unit root test and panel cointegration test as well as graphical method. The panel unit root and cointegration test showed that all the series are indeed stationary and have long run equilibrium relationship. Comparatively, the graph showed that the rents from oil in Nigeria are lower than that of Cameroon. Also, Cameroon performs better in rents from minerals than Nigeria. Thus, Cameroon capital expenditure on health has steadily increased since 1995 up to 2015 while Nigeria seems not to take healthcare expenditure serious hence the dismal performance in the infant mortality rates. Based on the findings, it is recommended that revenue from oil should be towards inclusive growth, thereby impacting significantly on the healthcare and welfare of the citizens. Thus, there should be investment in primary as well as maternal health in the rural areas for the disadvantaged in society.