Determinant of Human Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The research investigates the factors influencing human capital development (HCD) in Nigeria. Historically, the Nigerian government has overlooked the significant deterioration in both human capital development and infrastructure, which leads to decreased productivity in the country's economy. The primary goal of this study is to explore the factors influencing human capital development in Nigeria. The study investigated the patterns and trends of human capital development in Nigeria over a span of 35 years, encompassing the period from 1988 to 2022. Top of Form; examined the factors that determine human capital development in Nigeria. The time series analysis was used to investigate the effect of fertility rate, gross domestic product, inflation rate, human development index. The data utilized in this study were sourced from the World Bank database (WDI) the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The study utilized descriptive measurements, which included mean, median, skewness and kurtosis; just as inferential statistics which included correlation analysis, unit root test, Autoregressive distributed lag model (ADL) and error correction estimates as the estimation tools. The study found proof of short run connection among the variables. The study further found that gross domestic product exhibits a positive effect on the Human Development Index, although this effect is found to be statistically insignificant. (t = 1.32; p = 0.206), fertility rate demonstrates a negative and statistically significant effect on the Human Development Index. (t = -1.66; p = 0.002), inflation rate has positive and significant effect on human development index (t= -0.8; p= 0.0215). This, accordingly, suggests that fertility rate and inflation rate contribute more significantly to human capital development in Nigeria. From the study it is concluded that the fertility rate and inflation rate are the variable that mostly determines human capital development in Nigeria. From the findings, the study suggests enhancing the quality of healthcare services through increased government expenditure in the health sector in other to enhance the quality of human development.