Financial Deepening and Economic Development of Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation

African Journal of Accounting, Economics, Finance and Banking Research, Vol. 5, No. 5, December 2009

15 Pages Posted: 14 Jan 2010

See all articles by Samuel Mbadike Nzotta

Samuel Mbadike Nzotta

Federal University of Technology

Emeka J. Okereke

University of Port Harcourt

Date Written: December 31, 2009

Abstract

This empirical study examined financial deepening and economic development in Nigeria between 1986 and 2007. The central focus is that a high level of financial deepening is a necessary condition for accelerating growth in an economy. This is because of the central role of the financial system in mobilizing savings and allocating same for the development process. The study made use of secondary data, sourced for a period of 22 years. We specified nine explanatory variables for the study based on theoretical underpinnings. We sought to establish a relationship between these variables and financial deepening index. The two stages least squares analytical framework was used in the analysis. A trend analysis was also done in the study. At the end of the study, we found that financial deepening index is low in Nigeria over the years. We also found that the nine explanatory variables, as a whole were useful and had a statistical relationship with financial deepening. But four of the variables; lending rates, financial savings ratio, cheques/GDP ratio and the deposit money banks/GDP ratio had a significant relationship with financial deepening. We concluded that: the financial system has not sustained an effective financial intermediation, especially credit allocation and a high level of monetization of the economy. Thus the regulatory framework should be restructured to ensure good risk management, corporate governance and stemming systemic crisis in the system.

Keywords: Financial Structure, Corporate Governance, Financial Reforms, Financial Savings, Financial Market, Gross Domestic Product, Financial Deepening

JEL Classification: G14, G15

Suggested Citation

Nzotta, Samuel Mbadike and Okereke, Emeka J., Financial Deepening and Economic Development of Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation (December 31, 2009). African Journal of Accounting, Economics, Finance and Banking Research, Vol. 5, No. 5, December 2009 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1534212

Samuel Mbadike Nzotta (Contact Author)

Federal University of Technology ( email )

PMB 1526
1526
Owerri, Ihiagwa 234
Nigeria

Emeka J. Okereke

University of Port Harcourt

East/West Road
P.M.B 5323, Choba
Port Harcourt, Rivers State 500001
Nigeria

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