The nexus between agricultural output and poverty reduction in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2026.v4i2.317.10-20Keywords:
Poverty, Agricultural output, Unemployment, Co-integrationAbstract
Purpose: This study examines the investment in agriculture and poverty reduction in Nigeria over the period 1990–2024. Specifically, the study analyzes the relationship between investment in agricultural —livestock, fishery, and forestry and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Methodology: The study employed the ex-post facto research design, using secondary data extracted from the NBS and the CBN, the study employs the Phillips–Perron unit root test, Johansen co-integration technique, ECM, and OLS estimation.
Results and conclusion: The generated empirical findings established the presence of a long-run relationship among the variables. However, short-run and parsimonious estimates indicate that agricultural sub-sectors exert largely insignificant effects on poverty reduction during the period under review, although the ECM is correctly signed and significant, suggesting gradual adjustment to long-run equilibrium. The study concludes that structural constraints, insecurity, and inadequate sector investment may be responsible for this outcome.
Implication of findings: The findings imply that increases in agricultural investment have not transformed into meaningful poverty reduction in Nigeria.
References
Aderemi, T. A., Adepoju, A. A., & Ogunleye, E. O. (2021). Agricultural employment and poverty reduction in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL approach. Journal of Economic Policy and Development Studies, 6(2), 45-62.
Alam, M. M., Siwar, C., Murad, M. W., & Toriman, M. E. (2019). Impacts of agricultural productivity on economic growth and poverty reduction: Evidence from developing countries. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 16(1), 1-15.
Amaechi, E. C. (2018). Food security and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 3(4), 78-89.
Archibong, E. P. (1997). Poverty alleviation policies in Nigeria: Issues and challenges. Nigerian Journal of Social and Development Issues, 2(1), 22-35.
Ayinde, I. A., Aina, S. A., & Babarinde, T. O. (2017). Agricultural growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, 5(2), 66-75. https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/6540
Ayodeji, A. O., & Oladokun, O. O. (2018). Agricultural output and poverty reduction in Nigeria. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 6(3), 315-331.
Cordelia, O. N. (2020). Agricultural sustainability, food availability and poverty reduction in Nigeria. African Journal of Economic Review, 8(1), 112-129.
Ebere, C. U., Okorie, D. I., & Nwankwo, O. C. (2021). Agricultural credit and output growth in Nigeria: Evidence from DOLS and Granger causality. Journal of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development, 4(1), 90-104.
Etim, E., Patrick, I., & Udoh, E. (2017). Food insecurity, poverty and national security in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 6(8), 922-938.
Ewubare, D. B., & Okpani, A. O. (2018). Poverty and inclusive growth in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 9(4), 45-58.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2019). The state of food security and nutrition in the world. FAO.
Gassner, A., Harris, D., Mausch, K., Terheggen, A., Lopes, C., Finlayson, R., & Dobie, P. (2019). Poverty eradication and food security through agriculture in Africa. Global Food Security, 23, 132-144.
Ifreanacho, M. I., Okorie, G. C., & Nwoye, E. S. (2009). Agriculture and poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Journal of Development Studies, 14(2), 88-102.
Instituto Nacional de Estadística. (2009). Relative poverty and income inequality. Government of Spain.
Islam, R. (n.d.). Theories of poverty. United Nations Development Programme.
Jamal, S., Ahmed, F., & Bello, M. A. (2018). Agriculture and poverty reduction nexus in Nigeria. Journal of African Development Studies, 10(1), 55-71.
John, E. I., & Dankawu, A. I. (2018). Agricultural activities and poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 9(6), 101-115.
Kilima, F. T. M., Kuboja, J. M., & Nyoni, T. S. (2013). Agricultural investments and income distribution in Tanzania. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(18), 2041-2051. http://repository.mocu.ac.tz/xmlui/handle/123456789/493
Merriam-Webster. (2013). Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Merriam-Webster Inc.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Foreign trade statistics report. NBS.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Nigerian gross domestic product report. NBS.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2025). Nigerian export and foreign trade statistics. NBS.
O'Donnell, G. (1997). Poverty, inequality and development theory. World Development, 25(9), 1451-1465.
Obiakor, R. T., Nwoye, E. S., & Okafor, C. M. (2021). Agriculture and employment generation in Nigeria. Journal of African Economic Studies, 13(2), 77-94. https://dj.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/EE/article/view/1331
Oriola, E. O. (2009). Food security and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 11(3), 210-225.
Osabohien, R., Osabuohien, E., & Urhie, E. (2019). Agricultural development and employment generation in Nigeria. African Development Review, 31(1), 82-93.
Oviasuyi, P. O. (2019). Poverty and social exclusion in Nigeria. Journal of Social Policy and Development, 4(2), 33-47.
Uniamikogbo, S. O. (1997). Structural constraints and poverty in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Sociology, 1(1), 56-69.
Watt, P. (2000). Poverty and inequality in the modern world. Macmillan.
World Bank. (2011). Poverty and shared prosperity. World Bank.
World Bank. (2016). Global monitoring report. World Bank.
World Bank. (2025). Agriculture and food overview. World Bank Group.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Tarekebena, J. Gbenekeme, Prof Victor E. Oriavwote

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR) operates a copyright policy that ensures a balance between author rights and wide dissemination of scholarly work.
1. Author Copyright Retention
Authors retain full copyright of their published work without restriction. Submission to FUJAFR does not transfer ownership of copyright to the journal.
2. License to Publish
By submitting a manuscript and upon acceptance, authors grant FUJAFR:
- The right to publish, reproduce, and distribute the article
- The right to identify itself as the original publisher of the work
This grant is non-exclusive, meaning authors are free to reuse their work in other contexts, provided proper acknowledgment of the original publication in FUJAFR is made.
3. Licensing of Published Content
All articles are published under the:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Under this license:
- Users may share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes only
- Proper attribution to the author(s) and the journal is required
- Any commercial use requires explicit permission from the copyright holder
4. Author Reuse Rights
Authors are permitted to:
- Archive their published articles in institutional repositories or personal websites
- Share their work for educational and research purposes
- Reuse portions of their work in future publications (e.g., books or other articles), provided proper citation of the original publication is included
5. Third-Party Content
Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to use any third-party copyrighted material (e.g., images, tables, datasets) included in their manuscripts. Proper acknowledgment must be provided where required.
6. Attribution Requirement
All users of FUJAFR content must provide appropriate credit, including:
- Author name(s)
- Article title
- Journal name (FUJAFR)
- Year of publication












