The following articles have been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy (IJEP) but are pending final changes to meet IJEP format. These articles can be cited using the expression "in press". For example:  Akinlo, A. E. (in press). Article Title. Journal Title.

• INTRA-AFRICA AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND HUNGER REDUCTION: AFRICA ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

  Olajumoke R. Ogunniyi¹, Funso Abiodun Okunlola² & Michael A. Alatise ³

  ¹Department of Business Administration, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan. Oyo State.
  ²Department of Banking and Finance, Covenant University Ota, Ogun State
  ³Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Oyo State
  

  Correspondence Author’s E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Abstract

  Using a time series but cross-sectional data from 1995 to 2018, this paper examines the impact of intraAfrica agricultural trade (export and import) and, hunger reduction mirrored by the Global Hunger Index [GHI], on economic growth per capita in the continent. The Balanced Panel data estimation technique is used as aided tool of analysis. However, the descriptive statistics and the Panel unit root test preceded the estimation of the three-stage Panel of Pooled Ordinary Least Square [POLS], Fixed Effect [FE] and Random Effect [RE] while decision taken is based on the Hausman test result. Findings show that the second-stage testing of FE was found to be most appropriate in explaining economic growth per capita. Specifically, the FE result shows that a negative coefficient is exhibited between intra-Africa agricultural trade - export (IAAE) and that of hunger index [HI] but not intra-Africa agricultural trade – import (IAAI). By implication, IAAE does not account for earlier allusion that the intra-African agriculture trade relationship is substantial at improving hunger and growth per head. Stiffer sanction against trade policy defaulters is the suggested recommendation.

  Keywords: Intra-Trade, Agriculture, Import/Export, Hunger, Panel Analysis.

   

• TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES

  Oluwayemisi Kadijat Adeleke.^1*, Uche Abamba Osakede.² & Monisola Omowunmi Ajeigbe³

  ^1,3Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
  ²Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
  

  *Correspondence Author’s E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Abstract

  Not much is known in the literature concerning the role of trade-oriented policies in promoting infrastructural development particularly for African countries. This study examines the role of trade liberalization on infrastructural development in Africa using data from 15 member-countries in the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) over the period 1993 to 2018. Data was obtained from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and the African Development Bank. Measures of infrastructure considered include transport, energy, telecommunication and the composite infrastructure index. Findings are provided with use of the PARDL model. The results showed no significant effect of trade liberalization on all measures of infrastructure except for telecommunication where significant positive effects were observed but only in the long run. Long run estimates also showed negative effect of increase in tax revenue on infrastructure development specifically for transport. Findings further showed positive effects of increase in real income on energy and the composite index on infrastructure in the long run with short run results depicting negative effects. Evidence provided suggests the key role of trade liberalization in boosting infrastructure development mainly for telecommunication. In pursuing tradeoriented programs, governments in the region should focus on promoting infrastructure in the areas of transport and Energy as the region will continue to lag behind in these key areas in the advent of trade policies. Efforts should also be made to increase budgetary allocations to infrastructure investment in the attempt to maximize trade benefits and ensure sustainable development. This again is important as governments in the African region seek to pursue larger trade bloc operations in the AfCFTA.

  Keywords: Trade Liberalization, Infrastructure, ECOWAS, Heterogeneous Panel Data

   

• AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA) AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA: AN EXPLORATION OF THE POSSIBILITIES

  T.A. Ijaiya¹,G.T. Ijaiya^2*& M.A. Ijaiya³

  ¹Postgraduate Student, Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
  ²Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
  ³Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Studies, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
  

  *Correspondence Author’s E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Abstract

  The creation of a free trade area such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was long overdue given the benefits member nations would have derived from it at least when drawn from the experiences of other regional and sub-regional economic integration bodies. One benefit envisaged is the reduction in poverty of member nations. This study, therefore, explored the possibilities of AfCFTA reducing poverty in Nigeria when fully operational taking into consideration the African Regional Integration Index (ARII) drawn from the dimensions and indicators of regional integration (such as the free movement of people, trade, macroeconomic, productive and infrastructure integrations). Available data on the values of these indexes showed that Nigeria's regional integration index on the free movement of people, trade, macroeconomic, productivity and infrastructure are weak because the country performed poorly in all the five dimensions of African Regional Integration Index (ARII). This by implication is likely to deter the contribution of AfCFTA to poverty reduction in Nigeria in the future unless measures such as the improvement in production in the agricultural, manufacturing and solid mineral resource industries are affected. Massive infrastructural development that would necessitate investment (especially foreign direct investment), production and trade across borders, free movement of people (especially, the most productive and skillful workforce are also affected). Stability in key macroeconomic variables (e.g. inflation, interest and exchange rates) across borders is essential to help ease foreign businesses and investments and create healthy banking and financial climate.

  Keywords: Africa, Free Trade, Regional Integration, Poverty, Poverty Reduction, Nigeria

   

• POVERTY AND INEQUALITY: THE CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

  Rasaki Stephen Dauda^1* & Olusola Joel Oyeleke¹

  ¹Department of Economics, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State
  

  *Correspondence Author’s E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Abstract

  Nigeria is positioned 160th out of 205 countries in the 2020 sustainable development index, having scored 49.28. The nation ranked 159th out of 185 countries surveyed in 2019. Several factors are responsible for such poor performance. However, the role of poverty and inequality cannot be explained away. High poverty and inequality in their various forms constitute drags on sustainable development because development has always been a problem in an unequal and poverty-driven society. This study examines poverty and inequality as major challenges to the attainment of sustainable development in Nigeria, using stylized facts and review of related literature. It argues that the current state of poverty and inequality in Nigeria is capable of preventing sustainable development. It is therefore recommended that reducing poverty and various forms of inequalities through the appropriate policy measures will enhance sustainable development in the country. Such policies should include investment in health and education, with priority given to the girl-child education. There should be genuine commitment to fighting corruption in the public and private sectors. The economy should be diversified away from primary-product dominated one to industrial and services economy. Women should also be given free chance to participate in politics and labour market while the practice of street begging (almajiri) by children and young persons in certain part of the country should be prohibited

  Keywords: Poverty, Inequality, Sustainable Development, Nigeria.