The Econometric Analysis Of The Impact Of Foreign Trade On The Economic Growth Of Nigeria (1980- 2010)

ABSTRACT
The fact that developing countries are highly dependent on external sources for growth and development, trade in this view is then recognized as a vital catalyst in their development process.  The study examines the impact of foreign trade on economic growth in Nigeria between 1980-2010,  by looking at the review of Nigeria’s trade policy.  The main objectives of this study is to analyse the contributions of export and import trade to the Nigeria’s economic growth, by analyzing and also looking at the trend, direction of trade in Nigeria.  Moreso, the study also shows some of the positive actions initiated by the government towards the rapid growth and development of foreign trade in Nigeria.Data were gathered from CBN Journals, magazines, statistical bulletin of National Bureau of Statistics etc.  Quantitative method of multiple regression analysis were used to determine the impact of foreign trade on Nigeria’s economic growth using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) to estimate the variables used.The regression revealed that there is a direct relationship between dependent variable (GDP) as an increasing function of export value and import value.  In all, it is observed that the explanatory variables i.e export and import value have direct impact on Gross Domestic Product(GDP).  Finally, through the concerted efforts of all the parties involved, economic growth and development is realizable.
TABLE OF CONTENTSPageCERTIFICATION…………………………………………..     iDEDICATION………………………………………………    iiACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………  iiiABSTRACT………………………………………………….  iv
CHAPTER ONE1.0    INTRODUCTION……………………………………1.1    BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY……………………1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM…………………..1.3JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY………………………1.4OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY…………………………..1.5RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS…………………………….1.6SCOPE OF THE STUDY……………………..1.7ORGANISATION  OF THE STUDY………………………………..

CHAPTER TWO2.0     THEORETICAL REVIEW2.1.1MERCANTILIST TRADE THEORY2.1.2ABSOLUTE ADVANTAGE TRADE THEORY2.1.3COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE THEORY2.1.4FACTOR ABUNDANCE THEORY2.1.5NEW TRADE THEORY2.2LITERATURE REVIEW2.2.1  EMPIRICAL LITERATURE SUMMARY2.2.2  TRADE POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE IN NIGERIAN CONTEXT
CHAPTER THREE3.0THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK3.1INTRODUCTION3.2METHODOLOGY3.2.1MODEL SPECIFICATION3.2.2MODEL DEFINITION3.2.3MODEL EVALUATION3.2.4ASSUMPTIONS OF OLS3.2.5APRORI EXPECTATION OF THE MODEL3.3     SOURCES OF DATACHAPTER FOUR4.0    DATA ANALYSIS 4.1INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS4.2TEST OF SIGNIFICANCE4.3DURBIN- WATSON (D.W) TEST
CHAPTER FIVE5.0    SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION5.1RECOMMENDATION5.2SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION