Non-oil export and economic growth in Nigeria: A disaggregated analysis

Abctract. This study examined the role of non-oil exports in the economic growth of Nigeria. It determined how five selected independent variables (non-oil commodities); like vegetables, hides and skins; rubber and plastic export, and textile and textile articles contributed to Nigeria’s GDP (Dependent Variable). Using quarterly times series data from 2010 to 2017, the ARDL result showed that hides and skins; rubber and plastic export, and textile and textile article shave positive but insignificant effect on real GDP which was used as a proxy for economic growth. Secondly, the result also shows that there is bi-directional flow of causality between the real GDP and the non-oil export items. The study, among other things therefore recommends that government should diversify their economy, by taking a deeper look in to de-emphasizing mono-economy system, pay more attention to heterogeneous economy and endeavour to provide intermittently courses, capacity building, training and retraining in industries, and agriculture for professional development. This will catalyse the non-oil sector output to export levels for the betterment of the Nigerian economy.Keywords. Non-oil Export, Economic Growth, Nigeria, Disaggregated Analysis.JEL. O11, E20, Q13, C30