FISCAL DEFICIT AND GROWTH IN NIGERIA ECONOMY
Abstract:This study examines the impact of fiscal
deficit on economic growth in Nigeria for period of 1980 to 2018. Sequel to the
mixed level of stationarity of the variables as evidence in the result of the
unit root test, this study adopts auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL)
technique and the result of the study shows that fiscal deficit is detrimental
to economic growth in Nigeria. This study is in tandem with neoclassical
paradigm. The study argues that one of the main reason why fiscal deficit is
adversely affecting the economic growth in Nigeria is because of the pattern of
her public spending which is heavily skewed in favour of recurrent expenditure
which may not stimulate growth. Thus, the study recommends that government
should review her pattern of spending to favor productive sector by so doing
the economy will strive to greatness. Also, government should minimize her
borrowing and look inward for ways to generate revenue. Lastly, if government
wants to operate fiscal deficit, it should be only during recession and high
unemployment.