External Sector Aggregates and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper empirically examined the effects of selected external sector aggregates on economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2016. Time series data on Real Gross Domestic Product as proxy for economic growth, and on Imports, Exports, Exchange Rate and Foreign Direct Investment were collected from secondary sources. The data sets were analyzed using descriptive statistics, unit root test, co-integration test and error correction technique of model estimation. The result of the analysis revealed that Imports, Exchange Rate and Foreign Direct Investment negatively related with economic growth while Exports positively related with economic growth in Nigeria within the reviewed period. Also, except Exchange Rate all the other explanatory variables – Imports, Exports and Foreign Direct Investment did not impact significantly on economic growth in Nigeria within the period of study. Based on these findings, the study recommends that government should encourage export diversification, especially the non-oil sector exports. This can be achieved through value addition in both the agriculture and manufacturing sub-sectors output.