The Effect of Industrial Development on Economic Growth (An Empirical Evidence in Nigeria 1973-2013)

The effect of industrial development on the economic growth of Nigeria has over the past decade been a recurring issue for analysis like every economy most especially developing economies. Nigeria has enjoyed a long period of sustained economic growth since 2001 and yet, there is poor contribution from the industrial sector to the country’s GDP. There are various studies that have supported that industrial development is a pathway to sustainable economic growth. Thus, this research investigated the effect industrial development on the Nigeria’s economic growth 1973 - 2013. PC Give 8.00 version statistical package was used to analyze the secondary data that was collected from National statistical bulletin. GDP was used as the dependent variable, while foreign direct investment, industrial output, total savings and inflation was used as the independent variables. The model explain that the influence of industrial output on economic growth is not statistically significant, though the sign obtained from its àpriori expectation is positively related to (economic growth) GDP but does not hold strong enough. Savings has a positive relationship and also significant impact on the economy. Inflation has a negative relationship while net foreign direct investment is positively significant on the impact of economic growth. R-squared shows a 76% increase on the GDP. Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended that the government and its agencies should ensure political stability and also the implementation of strategic policies that will create a fair playing grounds for foreign investors which will also improve the establishment of industries especially the manufacturing industries to encourage industrialization of the Nigerian economy as this will facilitate the strengthening of economic growth (GDP). Increase in savings will make money available for the economy through high interest rate and income adjustments from the monetary policy. The Bank of Industry (BOI) should be ready to aid Nigerian industrialization along Nigeria’s line of development and not a total shift to accepting models which worked elsewhere given their environment and circumstance which differs from place to place