BUSINESS AND FINANCE JOURNAL

EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL DEBT, OIL EXPORT AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

IFEOMA PATRICIA OSAMOR, FADEKEMI ZAINAB AJASA-ADEOYE, SULAIMAN AYINDE AMOO, OMOTOLANI FAVOUR OLUWASEYI
January 30, 2026

Abstract

The sustainability of Nigeria's economic growth has come under scrutiny due to its significant reliance on oil exports and mounting external debt. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been viewed as a possible engine for economic growth and diversification. Thus, the impacts of external debt, oil export and FDI on economic growth in Nigeria are examined in this study. Time series data was utilized spanning 43 years between 1981 and 2023 to analyze the dynamic relationships between external debt, oil exports, FDI, and economic growth. The empirical process includes preliminary analysis (descriptive analysis; pre-test: unit root test [using ADF test]; cointegration test [ARDL bounds test]); model estimation (ARDL model) and post-estimation test. Following the empirical analysis, it was found that economic growth was positively and significantly impacted by external debt and FDI in Nigeria. Similarly, it is discovered that oil export has a beneficial impact on economic growth, indicating its potential as a catalyst for economic expansion and diversification. The findings have significant ramifications for decision-makers who want to support Nigeria's sustainable economic development and prosperity. Based on the foregoing outcomes, the study recommends that the government should give careful external debt management first priority which would entail a thorough evaluation of the project, open reporting of debt, and a dedication to keeping debt-to-GDP ratios within reasonable bounds. The government should also look into value-added potential in the oil industry, and efforts should be made to draw in more FDI. 

Download Full PDF

This article is available as a PDF download

BUSINESS AND FINANCE JOURNAL

Published in BUSINESS AND FINANCE JOURNAL

ISSN: 988-47878

This article appears in our peer-reviewed academic journal

View Journal

Related Articles

Explore similar research in our collection

EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY AND FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT: SECTORIAL EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

ABRAHAM ANTHONY, PhD

Sep 15, 2026

This paper examines the dynamic relationship between foreign portfolio investment and exchange rate ...

View Article

THE NIGERIAN TAX REFORM ACTS 2025: IMPLICATIONS FOR TAXPAYERS, TAX PRACTITIONERS, AND THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY

OKWA ENE IYANA

Sep 14, 2026

The Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), the Nigeria Revenue Service (...

View Article

BARRIERS TO FINTECH ADOPTION AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN BAYELSA STATE

BAKER, ESTHER OYEINTARI, PhD, AKARARA, EBIERINYO AYEBAEMI

Sep 14, 2026

This study examined the barriers to FinTech adoption and their implications for financial inclusion ...

View Article