INTERNATIONAL TRADE FLOWS AND EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA: A TREND ANALYSIS FROM 1981-2006

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between international trade flows and employment in Nigeria for the period 1981 to 2006. Using time series estimation technique, we found no significant link between trade flows and employment in Nigeria both in the short-run and longrun. However, external factors such as FDI, real effective exchange rate, SAP and internal factors such as political stability, labour regulation and real wage are more important factors in explaining employment rate in Nigeria. Like explanations of these outcomes are probably due to the country trading majorly in primary products which are largely uncompetitive and the nondiversification of the productive base of the economy such as the overdependence on oil exports. An effective and result-oriented employment effect from trade is likely to be aided by fortifying appropriate and enabling environment institutional regulatory measures to enhance the diversification and competitiveness of Nigeria’s trade, the removal of impediments to labour market participations and labour market interventions such as putting effective social commitments to principles of competition and diversification.