On Exports and Capital Formation in Nigeria

Abstract

One remarkable importance of exports is that it enables countries generate the required foreign capital needed to drive sustainable growth and development. This is to say that export earnings are capable of increasing capital formation through real investment. This study therefore focused on the impact of exports to capital formation in Nigeria for a 40-year time period spanning from 1981 to 2020. Related works on the subject matter were reviewed. The unit root test showed that all the variables attained stationarity after first difference. The Johansen cointegration test result showed that there exists a stable long run relationship between gross fixed capital formation, oil export, non-oil export and exchange rate in the model. Using the ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique in analyzing the data sourced, the results showed that oil export had a negative and insignificant impact on capital formation in Nigeria. Similarly, non-oil export and exchange rate exerted insignificant negative influences on capital formation in Nigeria for the period covered by the study. Based on the findings from the study, the following recommendations were made. First is that the proceeds from crude oil export should be used to acquire capital assets for investment which will in turn drive growth in the economy. Also the government through the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) and relevant agencies should pay more attention to the non-oil sector in terms of the implementation of favourable policies, grants and loans, tax incentives, research and development, etc. to improve the export of the sector, making it compete favourably in the international market. This is because crude oil is an exhaustible asset that is liable to depletion. Finally, efficient exchange rate policies should be implemented by government through the relevant authorities to protect the value of the naira while ensuring that the products are not too dare in the international market.