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Does Public Debt Matter for Human Capital Development? Evidence from Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Ebele S. Nwokoye

    (Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria)

  • Stephen K. Dimnwobi

    (Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria)

  • Favour C. Onuoha

    (Evangel University Akaeze, Nigeria)

  • Chekwube V. Madichie

    (University of York, United Kingdom)

Abstract

An inquiry into the impact of external and domestic borrowings is considered timely for Nigeria, given the growing public debt profile amid deteriorating human capital development. Using data from 1990 to 2021, the study estimates the effects of domestic and external debts on Nigeria’s human capital development. The study employed the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and canonical cointegration regression (CCR) as the main estimation technique and the robustness check respectively. The study discovered that domestic and external debt, economic growth and debt servicing exert positive and significant influence on human capital development in Nigeria while environmental pollution has an inverse and significant impact on human capital development in Nigeria. Premised on the outcomes, policy suggestions aimed at enhancing human capital development in Nigeria have been put forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Ebele S. Nwokoye & Stephen K. Dimnwobi & Favour C. Onuoha & Chekwube V. Madichie, 2024. "Does Public Debt Matter for Human Capital Development? Evidence from Nigeria," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 24/006, African Governance and Development Institute..
    • Handle: RePEc:agd:wpaper:24/006
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sadia Shabbir & Hafiz M. Yasin, 2015. "Implications of Public External Debt for Social Spending: A Case Study of Selected Asian Developing Countries," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 20(1), pages 71-103, Jan-June.
    2. Chukwuebuka Bernard Azolibe & Stephen Kelechi Dimnwobi & Chidiebube Peace Uzochukwu-Obi, 2022. "The Determinants of Unemployment Rate in Developing Economies: Does Banking System Credit Matter?," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 22/044, African Governance and Development Institute..
    3. Wang, Zhaohua & Bui, Quocviet & Zhang, Bin & Nawarathna, Chulan Lasantha K. & Mombeuil, Claudel, 2021. "The nexus between renewable energy consumption and human development in BRICS countries: The moderating role of public debt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 381-390.
    4. Mohammed Shuaibu & Popoola Timothy Oladayo, 2016. "Determinants Of Human Capital Development In Africa: A Panel Data Analysis," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 7(4), pages 523-549, December.
    5. repec:lje:journl:v:20:y:2015:i:1:p:71-103 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Aladejare, Samson Adeniyi & Dimnwobi, Stephen Kelechi, 2025. "Can natural resource endowment and human capital development drive clean cooking transition in sub-Saharan African countries?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • H68 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Forecasts of Budgets, Deficits, and Debt
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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