Scholarly Publication
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- ItemEffect of Information and Communications Technology on Economic Growth in Africa(2021) Yusuf Toyin Yusuf; Musa Ilias BialaInformation and communications technology (ICT) has been identified as one of the factors that drive economic growth and development. Thus, various empirical studies have been conducted with a view to examining the effects of ICT on economic growth. However, such studies failed to examine whether real per capita income influences the effect of ICT on economic growth, and whether the effect of ICT on economic growth differs among sub-regions of African countries. This study, therefore, sought to (a) investigate the effect of ICT on economic growth, (b) examine whether real per capita income influences the effect of ICT on income level and economic growth and (c) whether the effect of ICT on economic growth differs among the sub-regions of African countries. While a panel regression analysis was carried out, Hausman, Poolability and Breusch-Pagan LM tests were employed to choose the appropriate estimator between the fixed-effect and random-effect estimators. Data were obtained from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and International Monetary Fund classification of Africa countries. Results were evaluated at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that ICT did not have significant effect on economic growth, and that the effect of ICT on economic growth did not differ among the sub-regions of African countries. However, we found that real income per capita influenced the effect of only mobile cellular subscription (an indicator of ICT) on economic growth. Therefore, policymakers should not rely on ICT for sustained output growth because it can only lead to only one-shot, unsustainable change in income level.
- ItemDeterminants of Susceptibility to Sunk-Cost Fallacy: A Nigerian Case Study(Faculty of Economics, Commercial & Management Sciences Ziane Achour University of Djelfa, Algeria., 2022) Musa Ilias BialaA general economic principle is that when evaluating the costs of a decision, sunk costs should not be considered, and the decision-maker should consider only those costs that are incurred as a result of making that decision. However, both anecdotal and empirical evidence has shown that when making decisions, people are influenced by sunk costs, thereby committing the sunk-cost fallacy. A corpus of research has established that this fallacy occurs among different nations and cultures to differing extents or degrees. However, none of the previous research was conducted on Nigerians. This study, therefore, investigates whether Nigerians, too, commit this fallacy and then identifies factors that affect Nigerians’ susceptibility to the fallacy. Employing a binary logit model, it was found that about 49 per cent of the respondents to questions based on a decision-making vignette committed the sunk-cost fallacy. The results also showed that locus of cost responsibility (whether the cost was borne by the decision maker or another person on behalf of the decision maker) and ethnicity (whether the decision maker is Yoruba or not) were significant determinants of susceptibility to sunk-cost fallacy. This suggests that in Nigeria, the sunk-cost fallacy is intrapersonal and more prevalent among the Yorubas than among the Hausas or the Igbos. Therefore, the sunk-cost fallacy is ubiquitous and more likely in personal decisions than decisions made on behalf of others.
- ItemGlobalization and the Performance of Banks(2008-01-01) Adam Shehu Lukman
- ItemEconomics of Begging: A Critical Assessment of Socio-Economic Determinants of Begging in Nigeria(Ilorin Journal of Administration and Development, 2024) Musa Ilias Biala; Matthew O. Odedokun; Olatunji M. Shasi; Sodiq O. Jimoh; Rashidat S. Akande; Abdul M. Shitu; Hauwah K. K. AbdulKareemThe prevalence of begging is a social issue that is prominent mostly in urban areas of many countries. To comprehensively understand the problem of begging and tackle the issue at the policy level would require the knowledge of what motivates people to beg and how the supply of the activity responds to changes in the income of the participants. This study, therefore, examines the socio-economic determinants of begging and estimates the income elasticity of begging in Kwara State, Nigeria. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to gather data from 153 beggars in the 16 Local Government Areas of the Kwara State using questionnaire and face-to-face interview. The study employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique to analyze the data collected. Findings reveal that employment status, access to public goods, physical challenges, and hereditary factors were significant determinants of the duration of begging. Stable employment and access to essential public services were associated with a reduced reliance on begging while physical disabilities and a family history of begging were positively associated with prolonged begging. Further, we found a positive income elasticity of begging. The study concludes that begging is a complex socio-economic phenomenon, with individual and systemic factors jointly contributing to its persistence. It is recommended that policymakers focus on job creation targeting marginalised and vulnerable populations; disability pensions and employment support for the disabled; improved access to public goods such as quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure and commuunity-led initiatives aimed at the social and economic reintegration of beggars.
- ItemMicrofinance institutions and the performance of agricultural sector in Nigeria(Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, 2024)Microfinancing emerged to support low-income earners and small businesses, including farmers in the agricultural sector. Despite the critical role of agriculture in food production and raw material supply, Nigeria's economy remains dominated by the oil sector, leaving the agro-industry inadequately supported. This imbalance has spurred studies exploring the relationship between micro financing and agricultural performance, yet empirical findings remain inconclusive, necessitating further investigation. This study examines how microfinance institutions impact agricultural performance, focusing on microfinance credit, deposits, and investments. Guided by the neoclassical production theory and supply-leading theory, the research employs a model incorporating microfinance variables alongside factors such as capital, labor, inflation, rainfall, and fertilizer supply. Using time-series data from 1992 to 2023, sourced from the World Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria, the study applied the Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag model. The findings reveal that microfinance credit and investments positively influenced agricultural productivity, growth, and output, implying that operation of microfinance institutions in Nigeria positively impacts the performance of the agricultural sector. Therefore, sustainability of microfinance institutions and increased access of farmers to their services should be encouraged through formulation of appropriate policies.