Managing Nigerian Debt: The Practical Solutions

Abstract

Debt is an important component of fiscal policy. This study investigates the implications of debt on economic growth and development .It also discusses how the debts can be managed. Secondary data were used for the study. The Ordinary Least Squares Method (OLS) model was used to analyze the time series data extracted from CBN statistical bulletin and Debt Management Office in Nigeria  between 1990 and 2011. The result shows that the debt holding of government far above certain healthy threshold has negative effect on economic growth. It can lead, not only, to capital flight but can also discourage private investment. Hence, the dramatic growth in the domestic debt /GDP ratio has raised many doubts about fiscal sustainability of the current economic policy. Therefore, we recommended that the establishment of the Debt Management Office should be seen as a positive step towards enhancing the efficiency of debt management and the effectiveness of monetary policy.

Keywords: Debts, Debt Management Office, Economic Growth, Foreign Direct Investment