Oil Revenue, Public Spending and Economic Growth Relationships in Nigeria

This study examined the relationships among oil revenue, government spending, and economic growth in Nigeria. By implication, it investigated whether oil revenue impacted on government spending, as well as on economic growth in the country over the period from 1980 to 2012. Time series data were analyzed using econometric techniques which included Ordinary Least Square (OLS), cointegration, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), and Granger causality to determine the direction of causality and the magnitude of impacts of the variables. Findings from the analysis revealed that oil revenue Granger caused both of total government spending and growth, while there was no-causality between government spending and growth in the country. The study therefore suggested that government should increase spending on capital projects as well as intensify efforts at increasing output in the oil sub-sector in order to boost economic growth in Nigeria.