Macroeconomics Policy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

In normal economic condition, macroeconomic policy drivessustainable development of anation. The two main branches of macroeconomics policies are based on monetary and fiscal economics. Central Bank, the nationalapex bank controls the monetary policy while the Ministry of Financeplays major role in national fiscal policy. However, most economists concur that, synergy exists between micro-and macro-economics variables and two policy agents of government: the CBN and Ministry of Finance determine the success or the degree of sustainability of macroeconomic development.

In support of theimportance of central bank in macroeconomic policy, Ampong(2005) posits that non-artificial central bank independency has beena source of great success for the management and stabilisation of macroeconomic variables in countries like Norway, Sweden, Israel, Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand, United Kingdom, etc. In essence, there is theory gap among economists onthe level of central bank’s independence, especially in developing economy such as Nigeria where there have been constant agitating for curtailing of the CBN’s autonomy. Nigeria economy has passed many phases since the introduction of SAP by Babangida Government in 1986.

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The Abacha Government came up with Vision 2010, the Obasanjo with NEEDS, the Yar’dua with Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and presently, the Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. From 1986, Nigeria had total of four CBN Governors plus the incumbent, MallamSanusiLamidoSanusi. CBN Bulletin (2011) enumerated policy contents of SAP with major objectives to remove the controls of interest rates, enhance the institutional structure and supervision. Most importantly, to strengthen the money and capital markets through policy changes and distress resolution measuresand to improve the linkages between formal and informal financial sectors.

The removal of the control of interest rate through inflation targeting is somewhat the main focus of SAP. The concernsof the financial operators, the real sectors managers, the economists, and the policy analysts are the effectiveness of macroeconomic policy instruments of the CBN and the Ministry of Finance. Then, the impact in GDP growth rate,the stability of macroeconomic variables and the economic growth policy sustainability. In essence, citizens want to see how growth in GDP results to increase in employment, equal distribution of wealth, enabling business nvironment, and improvements in Human Development Index(HDI). National Bureau of Statistics, NBS (2013) data presents positive outlook of the annual macroeconomic variables in Nigeria as reported by CBN. From 1980 to 2012, the data depicts constant increase in GDP Growth Rate,stable money supply, controlled inflation Rate, favourable interest Rate, etc. The Monetary Policy Committee(MPC) has maintained interest rate at double digits since 2009. Many economists and policy analysts question the integrity of NBS macroeconomic data and the CBN reports on the state of the economy.

Ojomaikre(2012) questions the rationale of a statement he accredited to Nigeria’s Finance Minister,NgoziOkonjo-Iweala that Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Ojomaikre argues that Nigeria is not growing but broke. He asserts that government survey found out that, unemployment had increased across the country and was higher in rural than in urban areas. Similarly,he argues that the absolute poverty level had leapt from 54 per cent in 2006 to 70 per cent in 2010. The contradictions and argumentsregarding the growth of Nigeria economy and sustainability continue unabated.

Obafemi(2013) supports some policies already implemented by the CBN in the last few years. He, however,questions the effectiveness of these policies in achieving the desired results and their sustainability. Sustainability in his opinion is about policy reversals when the present CBN Governor leaves office. Hoover(1988), posits that policy ineffectiveness theorem of New Classical school can be used to describe the current economic quagmire in Nigeria.

PROBLEMS OF MACROECONOMIC POLICY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Nigeria’s financial sector witnessed seemly tremendous innovations preceding the SAP in 1986.

Objectives of SAP are to provide a liberalised and level playing field for the emergency of effective and efficient institutions that would serve as an engine of economic growth. As part of the reforms, CBN liberated the operating licenses of commercial banks. Their number rose from 40 in 1986 to 120 banks in 1992. The reforms led to the emergences of other financial institution such as discount houses and bureaux de changes which were non-existence prior to 1986. Importantly, CBN data (2012)depicts the increases in the capital base of banks since the introduction of reforms.

The capital base of all bank and financial institutions was raised in 1998, from 10 million to 500 million. Presently, after recapitalization in 2005, the capital base rose to 25 Billion Naira. However, the major negative economic effects of reform were excess liquidity, unstable exchange rate, high inflation and volatile interest rates. According to IndexMundi publication on Nigeria economy, inflation increased from 6. 26% in 1986 to about 49% in 1989, and reached the peak of 72% in 1995, depicting the highest rates recorded in Nigeria economy since 1986.

CBN statistical data depicts macroeconomic indicators of money supply, inflation, and interest rates from 1986 when SAP was introduced. Money supply increased from about 24 Billion Naira in 1986 to 370 Billion Naira in 1996, and by 2006 money supply rose to four trillion Naira. The extreme volatility of inflation data within these periods demonstrate the instability of Nigerian economy which monetarists refer as monetary policy trap. On interest rates, CBN data shows that interest rate which was 12% in 1986 jumped to 24% as of 1989.

Since late 1990s to 2004, interest rates in Nigeria have remained above 20% and even reached 30% in 2002. What is the cause of interest rate variability and what is the determinant of interest rate in economy? Blanchard(2003) examines domestic factors such as inflation, money supply, GDP growth rate and exchange rates as key factors. Factors that distinguish developed and developing countries in interest rate regime are efficiency of macroeconomic policy, its operation and implementation strategy. Some weaknesses associated with developing economies are weak institutional and weak legal frameworks.

In developing economy, there is always the problem of high interest rate spread because of excess risk taken by commercial banks. Excessive risk has potential to stall economic activities and GDP growth. In the case of Nigeria, combined with these characteristics of developing countries, has also problem of systemic corruption which tends to reduce the efficiency of macroeconomic policy.

QUESTIONS OF MACROECONOMICS POLICY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

This study will seek to provide the answer to the following questions. . What are the institutional frameworks for implementation ofmacroeconomic policy in Nigeria? b. What macroeconomic variables are the determinants of interest rate? c. What is the linkage between macroeconomic policy and macroeconomic variables? d. What are the challenges of macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigerian? e. What policy recommendations and implementation strategies are required for macroeconomic policy and sustainabledevelopment in Nigeria?

AIM, OBJECTIVE, SCOPE, AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

The aim of this study is to identify and examine the two essential elements of Macroeconomics: the fiscalandmonetary policy. Different macroeconomics variables will also be surveyed and their impact on sustainable development in Nigeria. The broad objective of this study will beto assess the macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigeria. The specific objectives are:

•  To examine the institutional frameworks and implementation ofmacroeconomic policy in Nigeria.
•  To identify the macroeconomic variablesthat are the determinants of interest rate in Nigeria
• To determine the linkage between macroeconomic policy and macroeconomic variables.
•  To evaluate the challenges of the macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigeria.
• To recommend and proffer implementation strategies for effective macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigeria?

The scope covers the process of assessing the macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigeria from 1980 to 2012. This involves the evaluation of institutional framework and monetary policy of CBN.

The following variables will be analysed: interest rate, real interest rate, inflation rate, exchange rate, risk premium, to determine their relationships with GDP growth rate and sustainable development in Nigeria. The limitations will be encountered as the study progresses. There might be some difficulties in assessing some documents from CBN and to compare CBN data with that World Bank and IMF. These problems can be solved through the availability of reliable secondary data in the internet.

THE SIGNIFICANCE, POLICY RELEVANCE, THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF THIS STUDY

Major concern of policy makers and monetary authorities regarding macroeconomic variables are not about the existence of these variables themselves but their sizes, which fluctuate in response to volatility of other variables. The result of this study will add to the theory of interest rate and existing body of knowledge in macroeconomic policy by assisting the CBN to conduct effective monetary policy that can drive sustainable development in Nigeria.

The policy-maker will be well-informed to make appropriate macroeconomic policy. Technical language of macroeconomics will be simplified for the benefits of individuals in their financial transactions. The knowledge of financial operators and their entrepreneur acumen will beenriched with the introduction of risk premium as a macroeconomic analysing tool. Proper Information is necessary to create Macroeconomic awareness. This research will survey different theories of macroeconomics with special focus on macroeconomic policy of CBN.

The survey of various definitions of macroeconomic variables will be carried out. The classical theory Adam Smith(1776), author of the Wealth of Nations and his follwers; also the Keynesian theory of, Keynes(1936),and the new classical theory of Hoover(1988). These theories have differing views on which institution or policy instruments thatare more effective than the other. However, Blanchard(2003) will be helpful in definition of interest rate theory which includes how inflation rate, expected inflation rate, money supply, and exchange raterelate to macroeconomic growth and stability.

Barro(2008) will compare term structure of interest rate. Ackley(1971)will establish investment theory with emphasis in real interest rates. Very important in this research is risk premium which will be defined with Perloff(2007) theory on federal and capital market bonds. To compare relationship among monetary economic variables and complementary policy instruments of CBN, Udaba(2002) identifies Open Market Operations(OMO), Nigerian Inter-Bank Rate(NIBOR), Reserve Requirement(RR), Moral Suction, Special Deposit, and the activities of Monetary Policy Committee(MPC).

There is also the Anyanwu and Oaikhenan(1995)model used to analyse the macroeconomic policy sustainability in Nigeria. Finally, for this study, Blanchard (2003) model will be used to analyse the institutional frameworks, macroeconomic variables and macroeconomic policies. METHODOLOGY This research work will be analysed through the combination of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. It will apply both the primary and secondary sources of data collection. For estimation procedure, the study will employ Vector Autoregressive Model(VAR) and Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity(GARCH).

The VAR model was developed by Sims(1980) and will be usedto capture the second objective while GARCH method by (Engle, 1982; Bollerslev, 1986) will be applied to capture third objectives. VAR model is theory-free model because some countries exhibit particular characteristics that sometimes are devoid of any economic theory. The choice of this model was because of its unique feature to bring out dynamic behaviour of macroeconomic variables. In the model, every variable is seen as endogenous variable that can be explained by its lagged value and lagged values of all other variables in the model.

The GARCH model is a popular method in financial literatures used as reliable model for volatility. The model takes the form of a univariateAutoregressive (AR) process of variables in question and the variance as a function of squared innovations from this AR process. Unit Root Test and Co-Integration Test will be conducted to know the stationary position of the macroeconomic variables, their order of integrations, and to identify the number of equations that exist in the model. The Augmented Dickey Fuller(ADF) and Johnasen Method, Gujaranti and Porter(2009)are current statistical method for this research.

Primary sources of data will be collected through pre-arranged oral interviews and solicitation for filling of questionnaires to knowledgeable individuals and experts in the field of monetary policy and financial institutions. There are needs to visit the headquarter of CBN, some banks,interact with policy makers and Nigerians from all walks of life. The secondary data will come from CBN Statistical Bulletin, NBS, World Bank and IMF Economic Outlook, economic journals, internet and electronic media.

The NIPSS library will facilitate assess to some books and unpublished researchers. A sample size primary data source which will not be less than 50 respondents and willbe random collected from relevant offices and institutions. To conduct oral interviews and serve questionnaires, there are needs to visit the headquarter of CBN, some banks, interact with policy makers, Nigerians from all walks of life. The computer application will be E-view 3. 1 or above. This application handles Time-series data more efficiently.

DEFINITION OF TERMS/CONCEPTUAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heterscedasticity(GARCH) Generalised Autoregressive conditional heterscedasticity used in measuring volatility in macroeconomic Time Series. Limited to more of financial time series. Vector Autoregression(var) Vector Autoregressive, used to estimate the lagged value of a variables and its lagged value to other variables. Helps in solving multiple equations problems among macroeconomic variables and to identify bilateral causality between variable: e. g. nterest rate effect inflation and inflation effects interest rate. United Root Test A statistical instrument used to test the stationarity (or non-stationarity) of time series variables. United Root Test resulthelps to reject or accept the null hypothesis. Co-integration Test If two variables have long term or equilibrium relationship between them, they co-integrated e. g. Fisher’s quantity theory of money. In its application, the parameter of estimated variables is compare with its critical significance. Policy Ineffectiveness Theorem(PIT)

The theorem based on New Classical economics that money is neutrality on money in macroeconomic policies. Conclusions This work is organised into five sections. Section One present the Backgrounds, Problems of Macroeconomic Policy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, Research QuestionsAims of Study and Objectives of Study, the Scope of the Study, Limitations, the Significance of the Study/Policy Relevance, Theoretical Framework, Hypotheses of the Study and Methodology. Section Three, discusses the historical development of macroeconomic policy and sustainable development in Nigeria.

The focus here will be Monetary Policy of Central Bank of Nigeria, with specific study in interest rate determinant. Section Four will present data, content analysis and interpretations. Section five will display the overview of the research work include summary of findings, conclusions, recommendation and implementation strategies.

References

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2. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1976. Available online at: http://www. econlib. org/library/Smith/smWN. html,
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