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Education, Electricity Access, and Income Inequality in Nigeria

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  • Oluwarotimi Ayokunnu Owolabi

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria; & Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Mercy Chidera Omeire

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Blessing Onyinyechi Okwudire

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria)

  • Oluwemimo Tomisin Bolujoko

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria)

Abstract

Education and electricity access are argued to be important determinants in the income inequality literature, especially with regard to developing countries. This present study explores in Nigeria the roles of both education and electricity access, as well as the interaction of the aforementioned variables for income inequality over the period of 1990 to 2019. Utilizing Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation preceded by the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test and ARDL bounds test for cointegration, the study found that while there was no long-run relationship between income inequality and it's determining variables, including education and electricity access, in the short run, electricity access was significant for reducing income inequality, while education was not significant for income inequality in Nigeria. On the other hand, education in the presence of greater electricity access was found to play a significant role in raising income inequality in Nigeria. The policy implications derived from the study findings emphasized the need for greater creation of employment opportunities by the Nigerian government, while electricity is made affordable for greater access by the Nigerian populace and is adequate in supply. Recommendations were also proffered based on the findings of the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Oluwarotimi Ayokunnu Owolabi & Mercy Chidera Omeire & Blessing Onyinyechi Okwudire & Oluwemimo Tomisin Bolujoko, 2024. "Education, Electricity Access, and Income Inequality in Nigeria," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(5), pages 149-161, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ2:2024-05-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Electricity Access; Income Inequality; Autoregressive Distributed Lag Estimation; Nigeria; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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