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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ssp.2025.12.002

Export as Catalyst for Economic Growth in Post Structural Adjustment Program Period: Further Evidence from Nigeria

Mukhtar Shuaibu1, Mustapha Yusufu2, Shafiu Ibrahim Abdullahi3,*, Alheri Pindar Kwajafa4, Mai Biu Umar5, Sadiq Dalil Wakili6

1Department of Economics, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

2Department of Economics, Federal College of Education Yola, Adamawa State P.M.B. 2042, Nigeria.

3Department of Economics, Skyline University Nigeria, Kano State, Nigeria.

4Department of Economics, College of Education Waka-Biu, Borno State P.M.B. 1502, Nigeria.

5Centre for Distance Learning, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Adamawa state P.M.B. 2076, Nigeria.

6Department of Economics, Federal college of education Yola, Adamawa State P.M.B. 2042, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: Shafiu Ibrahim Abdullahi

Published: November 10,2025

Abstract

The paper main objective is to analyz the effect of export on economic growth in Nigeria. Nigerian main export has remained crude oil for over five decades; this exposes the Nigerian economy to fluctuations in the international crude oil market.  Nigeria’s other exports include agricultural products, processed petroleum products such as PMS, jet oil, kerosene, gas, etc and services such as films, banking services, etc. Exports are crucial for economic development, especially in developing nations. The paper uses cointegration and Granger causality test for the analysis after conducting stationarity tests. Data was collected from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on economic growth, export, import, exchange rate, trade openness and interest rate for the period 1989 to 2022. The results show that export, as expected a priori, has positive effect on economic growth with 1 percentage increase in export leading to 2.2 percentage increase in economic growth. This confirms the importance of export as catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. The result also shows that import has positive effect on economic growth during the period. The same thing with the foreign exchange, which also has positive effect on economic growth. But the result shows that trade openness has negative effect on economic growth in Nigeria. The results have uncovered an important factor that played decisive role in Nigerian economic development. Nigerian economic problems can only be solved through sound economic policies, systems and institutions. Hence, Nigerian government shall pay attention to the main task of ensuring macroeconomic stability.

Keywords

Export; economic growth; trade opnenness; import; foreign exchange; Nigeria

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How to cite this paper

Export as Catalyst for Economic Growth in Post Structural Adjustment Program Period: Further Evidence from Nigeria

How to cite this paper: Mukhtar Shuaibu, Mustapha Yusufu, Shafiu Ibrahim Abdullahi, Alheri Pindar Kwajafa, Mai Biu Umar, Sadiq Dalil Wakili. (2025). Export as Catalyst for Economic Growth in Post Structural Adjustment Program Period: Further Evidence from Nigeria. Sociology & Social Policy, 2(3), 135-148.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ssp.2025.12.002

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