Master's Thesis from the year 2016 in the subject Economics - Other, grade: 3.67, , course: Development Economics, language: English, abstract: The study examined the impact of government fiscal and monetary policies on economic growth within the period of 33 years (1981-2014). Time series data were derived from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin, while the method of analysis was the Johansen Cointegration test, vector error correction method and the Wald test of coefficient. The result of the findings showed that there is a significant relationship between explanatory variables (government expenditure, interest rate and money supply) taken jointly and the dependent variable (real gross domestic product) in the long run. The coefficient of error correction term is -0.02 showing a 2% yearly adjustment towards the long run equilibrium. This proves that there is a relationship between the dependent variable- real gross domestic product and the independent variables - government expenditure, money supply and interest rate in the long run. The estimated coefficients of the short run model indicate no significant relationship between the dependent variable real gross domestic product and independent variables government expenditure, money supply and interest rates taken together but individually a short run relationship exist between the fiscal variable (government expenditure) and real GDP and between the monetary variable (money supply and interest rate) and real GDP. The policy implication of these findings is that more strategies needs to be put in place in order to ensure that monetary and fiscal policies taken jointly positively impacts on economic growth the in the shortrun.

This paper presents Nigeria’s Request for a Two-Year Policy Support Instrument to support its reform efforts. All three tiers of government have adhered to a conservative oil price-based fiscal rule, resulting in large overall budget surpluses and a significant buildup of international reserves. The authorities have also initiated a broad structural reform program. GDP growth has been robust, benefiting from the improved macroeconomic environment and policy initiatives to spur agricultural production; and the medium-term growth outlook is favorable.

Fiscal policy in oil-producing countries can be profoundly affected by oil revenue uncertainty and volatility. Policy formulation should factor in the exhaustibility of the natural resources and aim at reducing oil revenue volatility passed on to the economy. Past fiscal policy in Nigeria has not been successful in this regard, since both revenue and expenditure have been highly volatile, to a large extent reflecting oil price developments. The paper discusses the role an appropriately designed fiscal rule, nested within the long-run sustainable use of oil revenue, could have in providing a more stable framework for fiscal policy formulation. It also highlights practical implementation and transitional issues.

This paper examines Nigeria’s Third Review Under the Policy Support Instrument. Robust growth, lower inflation, a dramatic decline in debt, and an accumulation of significant reserves are among the notable economic achievements. It will be important to consolidate and institutionalize these gains as the foundations for sustained and improved economic performance. Non-oil growth accelerated and its prospects are promising. Inflation remained in line with the single-digit program target owing to a likely increase in confidence and money demand.

This book demonstrates that there is sufficient evidence on the Nigerian economy and society to inform many policy issues, and reveals the current problems and policy options that a democratic Nigeria will need to debate and resolve. It presents an agenda of reform as unfinished business.