IMPACT OF EXPORT PROMOTION ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

This study examines the contribution of international trade to economic growth in Nigeria, focusing on how export and import activities influence Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP). Using an ex post facto research design, the study relies on historical annual data to assess the long-term effects of trade on the Nigerian economy. Secondary data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Multiple regression and VAR modelling techniques were applied, with GDP as the dependent variable and export and import values as the key explanatory variables. This methodological approach enabled the study to capture both the direction and significance of trade–growth relationships. The results show that export trade has a significant positive impact on economic growth, while import trade exerts a negative and insignificant effect on GDP. These findings support the view that export expansion stimulates economic performance, whereas excessive importation weakens domestic production. The study concludes that Nigeria’s economic growth is positively influenced by export activities and recommends strengthening export promotion strategies, limiting unnecessary imports, and improving macroeconomic conditions to enhance trade-driven growth.