Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy

Investigating the role of institutions in the FDI-ecological footprint linkage in Sub-Saharan Africa: is there a threshold for institutional quality?

Toheeb Adekola Aminu — 2024-12-20

This study employed the system generalised method of moment technique to examine the role of institutions in the Foreign Direct Investment – ecological footprint linkage for 40 Sub-Saharan African countries between 2004 and 2018. Some stylised facts about the level of exposure of Sub-Saharan African countries to environmental degradation and the rise in Foreign Direct Investment inflow into this part of the continent were provided. Empirical results showed that institutions in this area are weak and contribute to environmental degradation. Even though we found Foreign Direct Investment to improve the environmental quality, institutions create a negative link between Foreign Direct Investment and ecological footprint. This resulted in Foreign Direct Investment exerting an adverse effect on the environment. Likewise, findings showed that while economic growth contributes to the reduction of ecological footprint at low levels of growth, it increases ecological footprint at higher levels of growth. The study re-asserts the vital role of institutions in achieving a sustainable environment and suggests policy recommendations for strengthening institutions.

Determinants of quality of land transport infrastructure in developing countries

Funsho Idowu Obakemi — 2024-12-20

Land transport carries 90 per cent and 80 per cent of passengers and freight, respectively, in developing countries. However, the quality of road (3.3) and rail (2.6) infrastructure in these countries is below the world average (4.07 and 3.61), despite enormous investments, policies, and schemes geared towards the sector. Previous studies focused on determinants of stock and investment in road and rail infrastructure, which may not reflect the quality of road and rail infrastructure on the ground. Therefore, this study investigated the factors that determine the quality of land transport infrastructure in developing countries. The study was rooted in an extended endogenous growth model. Panel data from 106 developing countries spanning the period of 2007–2022 were sourced. The study used Driscoll-Kraaypanel estimation techniques. The results show that gross domestic product per capita, credit to the private sector, debt-to-GDP, urban growth, natural resources, and institutions have a significant impact on the quality of road and rail transport infrastructure. There is evidence that institutions in developing countries are too weak to create an investment climate for quality road and rail to improve. The overall findings show that developing countries need to strengthen their institutions.

Gender inequality and poverty in Akoka South West communities of Ondo State, Nigeria

Elizabeth Akinjole — 2024-12-20

Poverty eradication has been a persistent global challenge throughout history. While approaches to addressing poverty have evolved, the fundamental issue remains unresolved. Studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of poverty among women, and the fundamental cause of this is gender inequality (SDG 5). Akoko Southwest Local Government Area communities are not exempted from this menace. This study looked at the nexus between gender inequality and poverty in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area communities, Ondo State. It also investigated the dimensions of poverty and areas of gender inequality among the sampled populations. The primary source of data made from self- administered copies of questionnaires was used to collect data from 200 respondents in five communities of the local government area. Of these, 175 questionnaires were valid and analysed. The sample population comprises both male and female adults. In addition, the Alkire-Foster methodology was utilised to analyse the dynamics of multidimensional poverty in the study area. We constructed the poverty index using the 2018 Nigerian Multidimensional Poverty indicators developed by UNDP Nigeria and NBS. We employed descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Household was used as the unit of analysis. The results showed high levels of gender inequality in all dimensions. On the multidimensionality of poverty, female-headed households experienced the incidence (88%) and intensity (60%) of poverty while their male counterparts experienced the incidence (54%) and intensity (42%) of poverty. The outcome also showed that female-headed households were more deprived in terms of education, health, living conditions, unemployment, and asset ownership. The binary logistic regression analysis showed there is a positive relationship between the female-headed household and poverty in the study area with a p-value less than 0.1, which suggests that there is a higher prevalence of poverty in female-headed households than in male-headed households. Overall, the findings revealed that gender, age, and education of household heads significantly contribute to the poverty status of the households. The study concludes that poverty in Akoko-Southwest LGA communities is both a symptom and cause of gender inequality as females are more impoverished due to deprivation in areas such as education, nutrition, living standards, and employment.

Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 policy measures on the livelihoods of people with disabilities in North-Eastern Nigeria

Muftau Olaiya Olarinde — 2024-12-20

This study examines the impacts of COVID-19 policy measures on the livelihoods of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria. It utilises a multi-stage sampling method to select 1,200 PWDs in three states (Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe) out of the six states in the Northeast. Fifteen Key Informant Interviews and six focus Group Discussions were purposively conducted to obtain the qualitative data while a structured questionnaire was administered to 1,200 PWDs for the quantitative data. The study employs a mixed method of data analysis in the form of thematic analysis, and descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of descriptive statistics shows that about 54.86per cent of the respondents were in the active age bracket, about 33 per cent rear livestock and 29 per cent owned landed property, while lockdown and social distance are major policies that had affected the livelihoods of PWDs. It was also found that cash transfer and food distribution were the major supports received by the respondents during the pandemic. However, findings indicate that about 68.32per cent of the respondents did not receive any government support during the outbreak. The results from Ordinary Least Square (OLS) revealed that support from the government and NGOs are critical resilience strategies needed to guide against the worsening condition of livelihood status of PWDs. Similarly, level of education, gender and marital status have worsened the livelihood status of PWDs during the period. The study recommends adequate government support for the vulnerable group and inclusive policy that caters for the special needs of these vulnerable individuals in the event of future shocks like COVID-19.

Taxation and the survival of small-scale enterprises in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria

YanmifeAdeola Ekunnrin — 2024-12-20

Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) are a primary means of economic survival for many individuals in both rural and urban areas. However, their medium to long-term survival is often adversely affected by various factors, particularly those related to finance. This study investigates the impact of taxation on the survival of small-scale enterprises in Ilorin South using a survey research approach. 196 questionnaires were distributed within four commercial clusters of the target area with 179 (91.33%)retrieved. Descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression techniques were employed to analyse the data. The findings show that tax compliance frequency, the convenience of available tax payment channels, and the ease of covering running costs within the business environment were discovered to be crucial to the survival of SSEs.