Human Capital Investment and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Abstract

The role of human capital in the growth process of any nation is crucial. It is a major tool for poverty reduction. The main aim of this paper is to carry out an empirical investigation on the relationship between investment in education, health and economic growth in Nigeria, using time series data from 1982 to 2011. This paper employs trend analysis, the Johansen  cointegration and ordinary least square technique. Empirical findings  however indicate that there is a long-run relationship between government expenditure on education, health and economic growth. The variables: health and education expenditure, secondary and tertiary enrolment rate and gross fixed capital formation appear with the expected positive signs and are statistically significant (except government expenditure on  education and primary enrolment rate). The findings of this work have strong implications on education and health policies and considering that they are of great debate in the country. Therefore, this study recommends that in order to accelerate growth and liberate Nigerians from the vicious cycle of poverty, the government should put in place policies geared towards massive investment in the education and health.

Key words: Economic growth, Human Capital, Education, Health and Gross fixed capital formation.