Environmental Degradation and Real Gross Domestic Product Per Capita in Nigeria (1990 - 2023)

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Environmental degradation on Real gross domestic product per capita in Nigeria, from 1990 to 2024). The study used Carbon dioxide emissions, population growth rate and total greenhouse effect as proxy for Environmental degradation variables while Real gross domestic product per capita is the dependent variable. The study made use of time series data, and the data were sourced from World Bank Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports. The technique of data analysis adopted include descriptive statistical technique, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) of unit root test, and Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach. The findings of the study showed that Carbon dioxide emission has a positive and insignificant relationship with the real gross domestic product per capita in the long-run but has a negative and significant relationship with the variable in the short-run, indicating that carbon dioxide emission can influence the economy in the short-run. Population growth rate has a positive and significant relationship with real gross domestic product per capita in Nigeria. Total greenhouse effect has a negative and insignificant relationship with real gross domestic product per capita in the long run but negatively significantly impacted the economy in the short run. Based on the findings, the study concluded that that carbon dioxide emission and total greenhouse effects are significant contributor to environmental degradation, and they play negative vital role in real gross domestic product per capita in Nigeria. Among other things, the study recommended that government should put policies to forestall the emission of greenhouse gases especially CO2 emission from fossil fuel combustion and that the government should promote green economy, make adequate policies to cut down carbon emissions, and adoption of policy measures to support action for climate change for attainment of improved environmental quality alongside growth trajectories in the country.