Policy Makers In Nigeria Research Articles

Toward evidence-informed policymaking in Nigeria? A systematic review of agricultural evidence syntheses

This article studies the body of agriculture evidence synthesis in Nigeria as a basis for evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM). EIPM is seen by its advocates as an objective way of identifying problems and proffering solutions that work, given its potential to offer sound bases for choices, helping with more effective decisions, and preventing detrimental policy outcomes. Yet, according to the EIPM literature, policymakers hardly use evidence or use it to justify pre-existing beliefs. At the same time, EIPM is often criticized as being susceptible to bias, especially given the large volumes of research being published that may arrive at different conclusions. One tool that could address these challenges is research evidence syntheses, known to be objective and rigorous, although there is a gap in knowledge on whether they are produced in ways that make them easily usable by decision makers. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study develops an analytical framework from the literature on facilitators and barriers of scientific evidence use to analyze existing agriculture-based evidence syntheses in Nigeria. The analytical framework was used to analyse and identify gaps in these syntheses that may limit their use by decision makers. Based on pre-defined search criteria, we find 19 relevant syntheses which are more qualitative and useful in defining policy-relevant problems; however, they mostly do not provide quotable economic statistics, solutions to address the problems identified, or implementation strategies. Given the currently limited number of evidence syntheses, especially those evaluating effectiveness of policy solutions, stakeholders interested in strengthening EIPM in Nigeria could facilitate collaborations between policymakers and researchers to popularize policy-relevant evidence synthesis and ensure such are made available and accessible to users in timely and usable formats.

Effect of a 12-Week High Intensity Interval Training on Serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor of Obese Undergraduates

The study investigated the effect of a 12-week High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) among obese undergraduates of the University of Benin. The pretest-posttest randomized experimental design was employed for the study. The study involved a population of one hundred and twenty obese undergraduates, with a sample of twenty-four selected using simple random sampling. The participants’ anthropometric profiles were analyzed descriptively using mean and standard deviation, and the hypothesis was tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with statistical significance set at a p-value of <0.05. The Bonferroni post-hoc test was conducted to pinpoint the source of the differences between the groups. The results showed a significantly higher increase in Serum BDNF levels (2.07 ± 1.9 vs. 2.38 ± 2.1) in the experimental group. This suggests that the HIIT protocol had a notable impact on the serum BDNF concentration of the obese undergraduates. Therefore, HIIT may serve as an effective intervention for elevating BDNF levels and potentially enhancing brain health. The study recommends that policymakers in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations should prioritize addressing obesity due to its potential cognitive complications.

The Economic Functions of Government Expounded in Al-’Iqtiṣādu l-’Islāmī of At-Turkī: A Lesson for Policy-Makers in Nigeria

Al-Iqtiṣādu’l-’Islāmī:’Ususun wamabādi’u wa ’ahdāf is one of the classical works written to unveil the Islamic mechanism to regulate fiscal relations on the basis of the Qur’ān and Sunnah. This paper, therefore, aims at studying one of the chapters of the work that focuses on the economic functions of Islamic government with a view to unfold the tools needed to turn around the economy of Nigeria and accentuate the necessity of formulating robust economic policies that are friendly to the down trodden masses as emphasised in the work. At-Turki, in this work, strived to proffer solution to the economic problems of the world including Nigeria by highlighting the roles anticipated from the progressive government aspiring to attain stable prices, full employment and economic growth. Through phenomenological method, the work observed that the Nigerian government aligned with some Islamic economic policies despite the fact that it is a multi-religious nation but the bane experienced in the economy is not unconnected to its failure to key into the functions totally. The work recommends utilisation of the propositions of At-Turki since they are divinely guided and submitted that legalisation of the commodities that are diametrically opposed to the divine Book recede economic growth.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND INCOME INEQUALITY IN NIGERIA

Studies show that the low level of economic development in countries occasioned by high income inequality levels may be addressed by financial inclusion policies via providing increased access and availability of formal financial services to the financially excluded segment of the economy. This paper investigates the extent to which this is applicable in Nigeria using the Auto regressive distributed lag estimation technique on time series data for the period 1985 to 2019. The results, consistent with the special agent theory of financial inclusion, show that financial inclusion significantly reduce the income inequality gap in Nigeria. Furthermore, the results also suggest that education and economic growth lowers the gap while population widens the gap. Based on this, the study recommends that policy makers in Nigeria put in more efforts to achieve the set target rate of financial inclusion as well put in place population reducing polices to further reduce the gap while promoting policies that will actualise the potentials of the other indices.

Public Policy and Governance Issues in Multi-Ethnic Society: The Predicaments of Policy Agenda Setting in Nigeria

It is an indisputable fact that Nigeria is a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious country. It is also widely recognized that the country has an abundance of material and human resources due to its diverse population. But what was once seen and considered as a blessing has turned into a serious problem for governance and politics in Nigeria. This is because the determination of ethnic entrepreneurs to invoke the common consciousness shared by individuals who identify with a specific ethnic or religious group lies at the heart of a lot of governance and policy challenges in the country. Symbolic ethnic pluralism has been an element in conflictual group relations whenever there is socioeconomic and political competition in the country. The objective of this paper is to examine how public policy agenda-setting and ethnoreligious consciousness intersect in Nigeria. The study used a qualitative approach, collecting data from the author’s observations as well as a comprehensive analysis of the body of existing literature. The findings imply that the overlapping roles of power, perception, potency, and proximity in political mobilization and policy-making in Nigeria have an impact on the intersection of ethnicity and religion as well as the reduction of complex geostrategic and historical conflicts to ethnic strife. The study recommended that the country’s current institutional arrangements and social norms be drastically altered.

Comparative Analysis of Financial Inclusion in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the World

Abstract Using six widely accepted indicators, this study compares the progress made in financial inclusion in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the rest of the World, with a view to deducing lessons that each entity can improve upon. We find that Nigeria outperformed Sub-Saharan Africa in three indicators of financial inclusion while Sub-Saharan Africa did better than Nigeria in one metric. Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa exceeded the world average in informal borrowings. We also constructed an index of financial inclusion and found that financial institution account ownership, formal borrowing, informal borrowing, and debit or credit card ownership are significant positive determinants of the financial inclusion index. These findings indicate that policymakers in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa have significant room for improving their financial inclusion standings towards the global average. We make recommendations on the aspects where policymakers can place their focus in pursuit of this goal.

The Effect of Environmental Taxes on Environmental Accounting Disclosure of Nigerian Oil and Gas Companies

There is currently a lack of information about the contemporary and potential effects of environmental taxes on environmental accounting disclosure. This study, therefore, explores environmental taxes' impact on Nigerian oil and gas companies' disclosure of environmental accounting information. The study used auxiliary data by generating information on the outcome variable and the explanatory variable from the “Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development” (OECD) and annual reports and accounts of the oil and gas corporations in Nigeria. The analysis included thirteen (13) companies as of December 31, 2021. Fixed-effects regression using Estimation using Driscoll and Kraay standard errors (DKSE) has been used in this study. The study revealed that an increase in total green taxes or transportation taxes will stimulate the disclosure of environmental accounting information by the oil and gas corporations in Nigeria. It is also documented that oil and gas companies that have high C2 intensity are less likely to disclose environmental accounting information. The study findings will be useful to the regulators and policymakers in Nigeria. This is because if the government enhances environmental taxes, it may inspire companies to enhance their environmental accounting procedures.

Nigeria’s Volatile Oil Revenue: Is There a Cause for Concern?

This study, unlike previous studies, investigates the impact of volatile oil revenue on economic growth in Nigeria from 1986-2020. The study adopted the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag technique (ARDL) to analyze the data. The results show that in the short-run, oil revenue volatility significantly depressed economic growth. In the long-run, however, oil revenue volatility improves economic growth in the country. The study therefore recommends that governments and policymakers in Nigeria should vigorously pursue policies that will reduce the reliance on oil revenue through greater economic diversification; otherwise economic growth may worsen in the short-run.

Renewable energy policies: A comparative analysis of Nigeria and the USA

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of renewable energy policies between Nigeria and the United States of America. It delves into the different approaches and strategies employed by these two nations in promoting and implementing renewable energy initiatives. The analysis begins by exploring the current energy landscapes in both countries, highlighting their respective energy demands, sources, and challenges. Special emphasis is laid on the policy frameworks, including governmental regulations, incentives, and subsidies that have been instrumental in driving the growth of renewable energy sectors in Nigeria and the USA. The study further examines the impact of these policies on renewable energy development, particularly in terms of increased capacity, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability. It evaluates the effectiveness of various renewable energy programs and projects, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, by analyzing their contributions to each country's energy mix and their role in reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the paper contrasts the socio-economic and political factors influencing renewable energy policy-making in Nigeria and the USA. It discusses how these factors shape the commitment and ability of each country to transition towards a more sustainable energy future. The challenges and barriers faced by both countries in implementing their renewable energy policies are also scrutinized. Finally, the paper proposes recommendations for policy enhancements, based on the lessons learned from this comparative analysis. It suggests ways in which Nigeria and the USA can refine their strategies to overcome existing hurdles and effectively capitalize on the opportunities presented by renewable energy technologies. This comparative study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers interested in the global pursuit of sustainable and clean energy solutions.

ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF INFLATION AND MONETARY POLICY INDICES IN NIGERIA

This work studied the intricate web of economic relationships in Nigeria, exploring the interactions between exchange rates, inflation, money supply, and economic growth. The research unveiled valuable insights into the dynamics of Nigeria's economy and its implications for policymakers. The work attempts to explore the impacts of exchange rate fluctuation, increasing inflation rates increased money supply on Economic growth in Nigeria. The econometric technique of Error correction model (ECM) was relied upon as a major analytical tool to determine the relationship among the variables. Our findings unveiled a noteworthy connection between exchange rates and inflation, underlining the influence of exchange rate fluctuations on inflationary pressures. Additionally, money supply and economic growth were identified as significant factors affecting inflation rates, aligning with theoretical expectations. Notably, these variables collectively explained a substantial portion of the variation in real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP), signifying their collective influence on economic outcomes. The error correction model (ECM) underscored the statistical significance of the long-term relationships among these variables. In light of these findings, we recommend that policymakers in Nigeria pay close attention to exchange rate policies, monitor and manage money supply, and prioritize economic growth as integral elements in their efforts to control inflation and maintain economic stability. Continuous monitoring and analysis of these variables will be crucial for informed decision-making and effective economic management in Nigeria.

Investigating the effect of an underdeveloped financial sector on non-oil export in Nigeria

Several policies have been implemented in Nigeria to shift the export trade from oil to non-oil goods; yet the share of non-oil export in total exports remains very small compared to oil export, which may be due to the low level of financial sector development in the country. Unlike previous studies on Nigeria that focused exclusively on financial sector development and aggregate export (combined exports of oil and non-oil goods), this study concentrates on financial sector development and non-oil export using an autoregressive distributed lag technique, the dynamic ordinary least squares technique, and the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag technique over the period 1986-2020. The empirical results showed that the relationship between financial sector development and non-oil export is linear. Results also showed that, in the short term, the country?s level of financial sector development worsens exports of non-oil products. However, in the long term, there is no connection between non-oil export and financial sector development, which challenges the theoretical view that trade and financial sector development are linked at any given time period. The study recommends that the government and policymakers in Nigeria should make sure that the financial sector is sufficiently developed, otherwise the goal to diversify the export base may not be achieved.

Adolescent nutrition in Nigeria: a systematic review.

In this systematic review, we scrutinise adolescent nutrition in Nigeria, focusing on dietary patterns, intake, and nutritional status. Through a systematic examination of observational studies across three major databases, we analysed data from 67,844 adolescents. Our exploration revealed 102 studies, predominantly cross-sectional, addressing various nutritional dimensions. However, only 13% of these studies demonstrated low risk of bias, with none offering national representation and most concentrated in specific, school-based regions. The findings underscore a complex nutritional landscape with widespread malnutrition and highlight the critical need for high-quality, comprehensive data. The dominance of cross-sectional designs and regional biases in existing research calls for cautious interpretation and suggests a pressing need for more robust, nationally representative studies to guide future nutritional interventions and policy-making in Nigeria.

Development and innovations in technology and vocational education in Nigeria

The development and innovations in technology and vocational education could be a veritable instrument for national economic development in Nigeria. The growing awareness of the need to adapt technology and vocational education to meet the rapid global economic requirement is absolutely essential. Thus, technology and vocational education is a mechanism that could help for improving the quality of workforce by humanizing their mobility, adaptability and productivity. Technology and vocational education indirectly could contribute to the enhancement of firms' competitiveness in the globalized world. This is so because one of the most important features of technology and vocational education is its orientation towards the world of work and the emphasis of its curriculum on the acquisition of employable skills. It is important that government should focus on acquisition of employable skills for the youths so as to divert their attention from these social vices that have bedevil the nation. Thus, it is absolutely essential to examine the development and innovation achievable in technology and vocational education in Nigeria. It is concluded amongst others, that Nigeria government should look inward and recognize the fact that technology and vocational education as the bedrock for meaningful technological growth and national development. It is recommended that the government, stakeholders, policy makers in Nigeria should focus on technology and vocational education, quality assurance and best practices that have worked in advanced countries around the world. Also the government should adequately fund, plan, implement, and manage technology and vocational education programmes in technical institutions in Nigeria. Finally there should be a synergy between the school industry linkages and where students are trained must be a replica of the environment in which the students must subsequently work.

Qualitative Analysis of Social Media Influencers Impact On Sustainable Brand Equity: A Case Study of Small Businesses in Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of social media influencers (SMIs) on small business brand equity in Nigeria. With the country facing significant economic challenges and a growing unemployment rate, small businesses have become increasingly important for job creation and economic development. However, many small businesses struggle to establish their brand in a highly competitive market. The rise of social media influencers has opened new opportunities for small businesses to enhance their brand equity through innovative marketing strategies. The research employed an inductive approach, utilizing qualitative data collection methods through semi-structured interviews. A total of six small business owners who have engaged SMIs for promotional campaigns were interviewed. Findings from the study revealed that SMIs can have a significant positive impact on small business brand equity in Nigeria. They can increase brand awareness, improve brand associations, and foster brand loyalty. However, the study also identified challenges, such as influencer selection, budget constraints, and the authenticity of influencer endorsements. The research provides valuable insights for small businesses seeking to leverage SMIs in their marketing efforts, as well as recommendations for improving the effectiveness of such campaigns. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on influencer marketing and have practical implications for small business owners, marketers, and policymakers in Nigeria. Keywords: Qualitative Analysis, Social Media, Influencers, Brand Equity, Businesses in Nigeria Proceedings Citation Format Obahiagbon, Ebiuwa Gladys, Nwankwo, Nkechi & Olaniyi, Titus (2023): Qualitative Analysis of Social Media Influencers Impact On Sustainable Brand Equity: A Case Study of Small Businesses in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 37th iSTEAMS Multidisciplinary Cross-Border Conference. 30th October – 1st November, 2023. Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana. Pp 69-82. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/ACCRACROSSBORDER2023V2P6

Financial Management Capabilities and Demographic Characteristics on Sustainable Sales Growth of Selected Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria

This study measured the relationship between of financial management capabilities and sustainable sales growth of selected small and medium enterprises using demographic characteristics as a mediating variable. Explanatory survey was used as a research design. The population of the study was 2465 registered Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Small and Medium Development Agency of Nigeria (Ogun State Chapter). The determined sample size of study was 288 copies of questionnaire validly retrieved from owners and managers of MSMEs and used for the analysis. Both descriptive and correlation analyses were employed for the test of the hypothesis through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 22. The study revealed that MSMEs that are supposed to contribute to Gross Domestic Products of the state are collapsing due to lack of useful financial management capabilities (financial planning, financial forecasting, financial budgeting, & financial auditing and controlling) because of their business size and nature. The study concluded that MSMEs in food, agro-allied and services need to establish strong financial management capabilities to enhance their relevance, survival and growth in Ogun State. The study recommended that policy makers in Nigeria should embark on policy implementation that provides better and easier financial succour and empower MSME owners and managers to reduce the collapse of MSMEs in Ogun State.

Targeting systems not individuals: Institutional and structural drivers of absenteeism among primary healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can only be achieved if people receive good quality care from health workers, yet in Nigeria, as in many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many health workers are absent from work. Absenteeism is a well-known phenomenon but is often considered as the self-serving behaviour of individuals, independent from the characteristics of health systems structures and processes and the broader contexts that enable it. We undertook a qualitative inquiry among 40 key informants, comprising health facility heads and workers, community leaders and state-level health policymakers in Nigeria. We employed a phenomenology approach to examine their lived experiences and grouped findings into thematic clusters. Absenteeism by health workers was found to be a response to structural problems at two levels -midstream (facility-level) and upstream (government level) - rather than being a result of moral failure of individuals. The problems at midstream level pointed to an inconsistent and unfair application of rules and regulations in facilities and ineffective management, while the upstream drivers relate mainly to political interference and suboptimal health system leadership. Reducing absenteeism requires two-pronged interventions that tackle defects in the upstream and midstream rather than just focusing on sanctioning deviant staff (downstream).

Dynamic effects of energy consumption, economic growth, international trade and urbanization on environmental degradation in Nigeria

MotivationA crucial but difficult goal for governments and policymakers in Nigeria in recent years has been the sustainability of economic growth. This goal must be accomplished by regulating or lowering greenhouse gas emissions, which calls for switching to a low- or zero-carbon production system. The lack of in-depth empirical studies on the environmental impact of socioeconomic variables on Nigeria and a number of unresolved issues from earlier research are what led to the current study. ObjectiveThis study fills an important empirical gap by investigating the existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis and the long and short-run dynamic impact of socioeconomic variables on ecological sustainability in Nigeria. Data and methodAnnual time series data covering the period 1980 to 2020 and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag technique in the presence of structural breaks were adopted for this study. ResultsThe empirical findings support the existence of environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for Nigeria in the long and short run. Energy consumption and total import exacerbates environmental deterioration in the long and short run, whereas total export improves environmental quality in the long and short run. Financial development, which contributed to a conspicuous decrease in the level of environmental destruction in the long run, escalated it in the short run. In contrast, urbanization caused a significant increase in environmental damage in the long run but motivated a decrease in biodiversity loss in the short run. ImplicationsThe government, policymakers, and all energy stakeholders should take additional measures to ensure the implementation and diversification of energy sources to accommodate more renewable energy sources that emit less carbon in order to promote efficiency in Nigeria's production processes and lower carbon emissions. In order to promote the production and trade of environmentally friendly goods, they should also revise and strengthen environmental policies. With affordable, dependable, and sustainable energy use for higher productivity and inclusive growth, Nigeria will be able to achieve its long-term development goals of good health and wellbeing.

Optimal sites for agricultural and forest residues energy conversion plant using geographic information system

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has committed to net-zero emission development pathways to respond to the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. However, the country is in dire need of energy to support its developmental ambitions. Therefore, it is necessary to consider green energy technologies to support both socioeconomic development and to meet the FGN's emission reduction target. In view of this, the current work presents the optimal sites for bioenergy plants in a state in Nigeria using Geographic Information System (GIS). Key findings suggest that 62.03 PJ/yr and 4.12 PJ/yr of energy could be derived from crop residues and forest residues, respectively, to support the state's bioenergy development. The crop residues considered include plantain (stem), oil palm (shell and fibre), maize (stalks) and cassava (peel and stalks). Six criteria were used in selecting the optimal sites, and include biomass residue distribution, settlement, road accessibility, nearness to waterline, slope and aspect. These criteria were incorporated into the ArcGIS platform through the weighted overlay tool. Strategically, the analysis presents seven sites for biomass plants to sustainably meet part of the energy needs. The efforts of the current work which supports not less than three SDGs–SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), will assist policymakers in Nigeria to make appropriate policies within the climate change space.

Tackling corruption in the distribution of Covid-19 palliatives and public health facilities in Nigeria: legal insights and strategic blueprint for future emergencies

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the corruption prevalent in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives during the lockdown and movement restrictions in the country. This study seeks to analyse the current state of corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and public health facilities in Nigeria while also providing a legal insight and strategic blueprint to combat corruption. To this end, this study will address the current legal framework for combating corruption and build upon this to formulate a working strategy for tackling corruption in the future.Design/methodology/approachUsing a doctrinal legal research methodology, this study draws upon existing literature, tertiary data sources and information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The collected data is analysed and compared with current literature to identify key findings. Rent-seeking and utilitarian theories of the law were examined to guide this study. This study offers useful insights into combating corruption. The use of this method is justified, as it enhances the credibility of the findings on the importance of strategies for future emergencies. This legal research approach is consistent with the law and can be easily verified. The empirical aspect of this study involved a survey of multidimensional health-care and economic data set of 36 states in Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory on COVID-19 in Nigeria. A survey linearised regression model was estimated to determine the influence of government revenue and public health-care facilities in the control of the virus spread in Nigeria.FindingsThis study reveals the need for emphasis on the imperative of combating corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and establishing economic resilience through transparent and accountable practices, supported by legal frameworks.Research limitations/implicationsRent-seeking and utilitarian theories of law are evaluated because of their impacts on combating corruption. The limitation of this study is the intricacy of gathering data on COVID-19 palliatives corruption in Nigeria because of secrecy and the absence of reliable data on the subject.Practical implicationsEstimating the exact number of stolen palliatives and their fiscal impact on Nigeria's economy proves to be a formidable task because of the covert nature of corruption. This study equips policymakers in Nigeria with a better understanding of the legal challenges posed by corruption in the health care sector and provides an effective strategy to combat it.Social implicationsThe lack of reliable data on the extent of palliative theft hinders the ability of lawmakers to enact effective legislation and strategies for combating corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and addressing future emergencies in Nigeria. The policy implications of this study can assist policymakers in Nigeria and other countries in formulating measures to combat corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and other future emergencies. Furthermore, it recommends the overhaul of anti-corruption laws and mechanisms in Nigeria to ensure effective measures against corruption.Originality/valueIn conclusion, this study contributes to knowledge by proposing a legal model centred on people's participation to enhance transparency and accountability in future palliative distribution processes. This study recommends legal strategies that can effectively address corruption in future emergencies or shocks. This study proposes a strategic blueprint to tackle corruption in the future. This blueprint includes an analysis of existing laws and regulations, as well as potential policy changes and legislative reform. This study also includes recommendations for improved enforcement and oversight mechanisms and for improved public awareness and education. As part of this, this study considers the potential for public–private partnerships to increase transparency and accountability in public health and health-care services.

Socio-economic governance and economic growth in Nigeria

Purpose The study examines the impact of socio-economic governance on economic growth in Nigeria. It measures socio-economic governance from the perspective of fiscal policy, using indicators such as investment in education, research and development (R&D) and health.Design/methodology/approach This study employs the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) Bound Testing method to achieve its objective.Findings The study finds that socio-economic policies aimed at increasing investment in education are crucial for Nigeria’s long-term economic growth. Additionally, investment in R&D positively impacts economic growth. However, the study reveals that investment in health negatively affects economic growth in Nigeria in the long run. This suggests that if a country overinvests in health, it may divert resources from other vital sectors such as education, infrastructure and R&D, which can hinder overall economic growth. The short-run parameter is, however, not statistically significant in this study.Originality/value The study’s originality lies in its exploration of the relationship between socio-economic governance and economic growth in Nigeria, specifically from a fiscal policy perspective. It highlights the importance of investing in education and R&D for long-term economic growth. Additionally, the finding that overinvestment in health may have a negative impact on long-term economic growth provides valuable insight for policymakers in Nigeria and other developing countries. Overall, this study’s findings can be beneficial for policymakers and researchers interested in the intersection between socio-economic governance and economic growth in developing countries.