This paper investigates the empirical linkages among financial stability, institutional quality and financial inclusion in Nigeria using quarterly data from 1986-2013. For empirical analysis, the study applies the autoregressive distributed lag model based on unrestricted error correction model (ARDL-UECM). First, the results show evidence that financial stability has significant impact on financial inclusion in the long run period but not in the short run. Second, the study reveals that institutional quality has significant impact on financial inclusion in the long run period and in the short run. Having found that financial stability and institutional quality are positively related to financial inclusion in the long run, the study therefore recommends that the government and policymakers pursuing the agenda of financial inclusion should pay attention not only to the financial and economic indicators but also to institutional factors existing in the country since they interact in creating a harmonised and sustainable developmental trajectory. In a country where the economic, legal, judicial and political institutions are very weak, many households (savers) and firms (borrowers/investors) may not be protected when there are issues of financial contract enforcements or breaches within the economy.

This study provides a pioneer analysis of the growth effect of WAEMU integration at the econometric level, unlike the extant literature that relied on descriptive analysis of the sub-region’s trade statistics. The study used robust instrumental variables system GMM regression in the framework of a cross-country growth model and annual panel data for the period 2000 to 2015. Contrary to the widely held view that regional economic integration fosters economic growth of the participating countries, we did not find any empirical support for a positive growth impact of WAEMU integration in West Africa, which may be due to a variety of factors that mainly point to the characteristics of the WAEMU economies. However, the results indicate that foreign direct investment (FDI), institutional quality, capital, labour and the initial real per capita GDP are important drivers of growth in the sub-region. Interestingly, the results further indicate that FDI and institutional quality are the channels through which WAEMU integration may impact on growth in West Africa. The study therefore concludes that policy reforms towards improved institutions and increased FDIs will enhance economic growth in West Africa.

Purpose: The issue of foreign aid has continued to gain renewed economic cum political attention in the early years of the twenty-first century. At a summit, popularly known as the Millennium Summit, which took place in 2000, there was an agreement by the international community concerning some goals known as the Millennium Development Goals which were targeted to be reached by the year 2015 but have now been replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals. Against this background, it becomes pertinent to ascertain the contributions and impact of foreign aid in the form of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) on capital formation in Nigeria. This is an area of foreign aid studies that has been ignored by many researchers. Most studies are seen delving into analyzing the aid-growth nexus without evaluating the transmission link through which foreign aid transmits to affect economic growth. There is paucity of studies on the aid-capital nexus. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical method used was autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. Findings: The empirical results from the ARDL model estimations show that foreign aid, which is proxied by ODA, has a positive and significant impact on capital formation in Nigeria for the years under analysis. The result of the Granger causality test shows that a bi-directional granger causality exists between foreign aid and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF). Originality/value: Empirical results from the ARDL model estimations show that foreign aid, which is proxied by ODA, has a positive and significant impact on capital formation in Nigeria for the years under analysis. The result of the Granger causality test shows that a bi-directional Granger causality exists between foreign aid and GFCF. It is therefore recommended that government should make serious efforts toward the implementation and effective utilization of foreign aid. Appropriate policy measures that would monitor the maximum and effective utilization of foreign aid are also required.

This paper analyzed the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) and power supply on human capital development in Nigeria as an emerging market economy. The study adopted the Classical Linear Regression Model for the empirical analysis. The result showed that ICT, power supply (proxied by electricity consumption) and population impact positively on human capital development, while infant mortality has a negative impact on human capital development in Nigeria. The impact of ICT on school enrolment suggests that technology is fast evolving and new technologies are preferred to old ones. The study, therefore, recommended that Nigeria should follow in the trend of ICT globally in harnessing her human capital endowments. In conclusion, the Nigerian government should harness her ICT and electric power potentials and develop the human capital available to her to prevent the emigration of her human resource endowment to more resilient and promising economies.