FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2023, employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling approach. The study incorporates GDP growth rate as the dependent variable and FDI, interest rate, exchange rate, and inflation rate as explanatory variables. Descriptive statistics reveal moderate variability among the variables, while correlation analysis indicates a positive association between GDP growth and FDI, and a negative relationship with inflation. Unit root tests confirm that all variables are stationary at first difference, satisfying the preconditions for ARDL estimation. The ARDL bounds test results establish the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Short-run dynamics show that FDI has both positive and negative effects on GDP growth across lags, suggesting that the impact of investment inflows is time-dependent. Exchange rate depreciation exerts a significant negative influence on economic growth, while inflation exhibits mixed effects depending on lag structure. The long-run estimates reveal that FDI, interest rate, exchange rate, and inflation have negative but statistically insignificant impacts on GDP growth, implying limited long-term contribution to growth within the study period. Diagnostic tests confirm the absence of heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation, validating the robustness of the model. The study concludes that FDI, though influential in the short run, does not significantly drive long-term growth unless supported by stable macroeconomic conditions. It recommends that policymakers enhance the investment climate, ensure exchange rate stability, and implement consistent macroeconomic policies to attract productive FDI and sustain economic growth in Nigeria.

This study examines the impact Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue and economic performance in Nigeria using time series data from year 1994-2020. The result of the estimated OLS model shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between VAT revenue and economic performance in Nigeria which was proxied by the real GDP at 5% level of significance. Personal Income Tax was found topositively affect economic growth and was significant at 5% level and lastly, the analysis revealed that a positive relationship exists between VAT revenue and total household consumption expenditure and the relationship was found to have being statistically significant at 5% level. The study recommended that government should consider the implications when making decisions about VAT rates and structure and that a potential solution is to mitigate the negative effects of VAT on lower-income households by implementing a progressive tax system where lower rates are applied to basic necessities and higher rates to luxury goods and services. The study further recommended that in order to enhance economic growth of Nigeria through VAT revenue, the enlightenment of the public on how VAT works, how it is calculated and how it affects them can increase understanding and acceptance of the tax

This research investigates the socio economic impact on the use of vigilante in security challenges in Edo State. The objectives of the study were to: access the impact of the current security situation in Edo State; examine the medal operandi of the vigilante groups carry out their works; ascertain the socio-economic impact on the use of vigilante groups and make recommendation on how to make the vigilante group more effective in security management. This study is expected to provide relevant information to voluntary security agencies (Edo State Security Network) in community based security management and it will also assist in policy making to formulate policies on community based security issues. However, the research was carried out in four communities due to the large size of population of study. The four community are 3 rd Circular, Ogbe, Ibiwe, and Ikpema. The population of studies was People between the ages of 20 years and above resident in Oredo which was used as the population for the study. This is so because, constitutionally, 19years below are regarded as under age and therefore have no capacity for rational thinking. According to the National Population Census of 2006, Oredo L.G.A has a population of 212,877 people within the age
of 20 and above. The size used for the study on which questionnaire were administered is 120 to the population of indigenes in various communities. The sampling technique was used for the study was the random sampling technique. Data collection was retrieving from administered questionnaire from the indigenous people from four selected communities. The method employed for this research was the simple statistical method such as the simple percentage to deduce the effective and
interpret the further necessary discussions.

This study examined the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) policies on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The research was carried out to evaluate the level of VAT compliance
among SMEs, determine the relationship between VAT policy and profitability, assess the administrative burden of VAT on operational efficiency, and analyze the perception of SME operators regarding VAT and business sustainability. The study
adopted a descriptive and inferential research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed via Google Forms and face-to-face administration, with 300 valid responses analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Analytical
tools such as descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and Chi- square tests were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between VAT compliance and SME growth, indicating that firms
with higher compliance levels tend to perform better in the long run. VAT policies were found to have a considerable impact on profitability and operational efficiency, while administrative challenges remained a major constraint to full compliance. Furthermore, the study showed that SMEs’ perception of VAT significantly affects their willingness to comply and sustain business operations. The study concluded that VAT can enhance SME growth if well managed and supported by simplified tax administration. It recommended that government agencies improve tax education, reduce compliance costs, and enhance digital tax systems to encourage broader SME participation in the VAT scheme.

The broad objective of this study is to examine the risk of drug abuse among youth from disadvantaged families in Ekosodin community Ovial North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The specific objectives are to assess the prevalence and patterns of substance use, highlight the psychological stress and mental health experienced by drug abuser, highlight the effect of drug abuse on Academic and Social Well-being, and to find out the effect of drug abuse among youth on disadvantaged families in Ekosodin community Ovial North East Local Government Area of Edo State. A total of 300 structured questionnaires were distributed to respondents. Frequency andpercentage method was adopted in this study. The finding showed that there are prevalence and patterns of substance use. Most youth become drug abuser because substance use is a common issue among people in the community. And this substance in most cases are abuse because it is easy for individuals to access substances if they wish to. Drug abuser experience psychological stress and mental health this includes feeling overwhelmed finding it difficult to manage emotions, feel isolated or alone, frequently experience feelings of anxiety or panic attacks, and increased mental health problems and finding it difficult to participate in healthy social activities. Drug abuse prevents abuser from engaging in activities they once enjoyed, leading to feelings of hopelessness, it cannegatively impacts academic performance of youth, harms relationships with family and friends, and reduces motivation for school and future goals. Drug abuse make abuser’s family experiences more arguments and conflict because of their drug use, and can make it harder for abuser to communicate openly and honestly with their parents/guardians. The study recommend that Nigeria government should work toward reducing easy access of most drug which could be harmful to the health of youth, this can be done through making a certain policy.

This study investigates the impact of financial efficiency on Nigeria’s economic performance, focusing on economic growth, price instability (inflation), and trade balance. The research is anchored on the theories of financial intermediation and endogenous growth, which emphasize the role of efficient financial systems and capital accumulation in driving economic development. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to accommodate the mixed order of integration of the variables, the study estimates three models to assess both short-run and long-run effects. The findings reveal that financial efficiency does not have a statistically significant impact on economic growth or inflation control, contrary to many previous studies. However, financial efficiency demonstrates a significant short-run effect on stabilizing the trade balance.These results suggest that structural and institutional weaknesses, along with human capital challenges, limit the ability of financial efficiency to foster sustained economic improvements in Nigeria. The study concludes that financial sector reforms must be integrated with broader institutional and macroeconomic policies to enhance economic performance and sustainable development.