F.D. Isuwa

This research examines how health expenditure influences maternal mortality in Nigeria
by utilizing annual data from 2000 to 2022. Despite various reforms and investments in
the health sector, maternal mortality continues to be a significant public health issue in
Nigeria. The study explores the effects of key indicators such as Government Health
Expenditure (expressed as a percentage of GDP), Out-of-Pocket Expenditure, Literacy
Rate (serving as a proxy for female educational attainment), Workforce Migration Index
(indicating health worker migration), and Fertility Rate on the Maternal Mortality Ratio
(MMR). The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling approach is used, given
its appropriateness for analyzing variables that are integrated at different orders, I(0)
and I(1). The findings reveal both short-term and long-term relationships between the components of health expenditure and maternal mortality. In particular, government health spending exhibits a negative correlation with maternal mortality, indicating that increases in public investment can lead to reductions in MMR over time. Conversely, high out-of-pocket expenses and increasing fertility rates are linked to higher maternal mortality, highlighting deficiencies in financial risk protection and reproductive health services. The study concludes that to achieve substantial decreases in maternal mortality in Nigeria, sustained increases in government health funding, a reduction in household healthcare costs, and enhancements in female education are crucial. Recommended policies include bolstering the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), addressing the migration of health workers, and broadening maternal health initiatives aimed at atrisk populations

This study investigated the impact of international trade on macroeconomic performance in Nigeria from 1990 to 2023. The research was motivated by the persistent challenges of overdependence on crude oil exports, trade imbalances, and inconsistent policy outcomes that have impeded Nigeria’s economic growth. Anchored on the Heckscher-Ohlin Theory of Factor Endowment and Adam Smith’s Absolute Advantage Theory, the study examined the dynamic relationship between exports, imports, foreign direct investment (FDI), and inflation as they influence Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design, utilizing secondary data sourced from the World Bank Development Outlook (2024) and the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2023). The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach was employed to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships among the variables. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test revealed a mixture of I(0) and I(1) variables, confirming the suitability of the ARDL model. The findings showed evidence of long-run cointegration among international trade indicators and Nigeria’s economic growth. The long-run estimates indicated that exports had a positive and statistically significant effect on GDP growth, while imports exerted a negative and significant impact on GDP growth. Foreign direct investment (FDI) was found to be positive but statistically insignificant. Inflation was negative and statistically significant, suggesting that persistent price instability undermines macroeconomic performance. The study concludes that international trade significantly affects Nigeria’s macroeconomic performance. It recommends diversification of the export base beyond oil, improved local manufacturing capacity, better investment policies to attract productive FDI, and effective inflation management to sustain economic growth and stability

the study” the impact ofpopulation growth on poverty rate in Nigeria ” seeks to examine howpopulation growth influences the rate ofpoverty in Nigeria. The study utilized data covering the period from 1981 to 2022. The model is logged and estimated and the data stationary is obtained using ADF test for unit root. The empiricalfindings shows that population growth has a negative and insignificant impact on poverty rate while Unemployment rate, Real Gross Domestic Product and inflation rate has apositive and insignificant impact onpoverty rate in Nigeria.This study therefore recommends that there should be a more comprehensive approach to poverty reduction, by addressing the multiple dimensions ofpoverty and promoting inclusive and sustainable development. Resources should be provided and directed strategically in order to make meaningful progress in the reduction ofpoverty rate and improving the lives of the growing population in Nigeria