TAXATION AS A DRIVER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study examined Taxation as a Driver of Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Analysis between 1990 and 2022. It adopted ex-post facto research design. The model adopted for the study was Autoregressive distributed lag model. The study utilized secondary sources of data from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service. The variables in the model include gross domestic product (GDP) as the dependent variable, while petroleum profit tax revenue (PPTR), custom excise duty (CED), education tax (EDT) and value added tax (VAT) as the explanatory variables. The data were subjected to diagnostic test including unit root and co-integration test before estimating the model. Finding from the study revealed that petroleum profit tax (PPT) has negative and significant impact on economic growth (proxy gross domestic product) in Nigeria. Custom and excise duty (CED) has negative and insignificant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Educational tax (EDT) has positive and significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Value added tax (VAT) has negative and significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that efforts should be geared towards rebuilding and renovating the nation’s refineries, this will help increase our domestic production and ultimately drive down the price of petrol while contributing to the nation’s economic growth and guaranteeing energy security in the country.