THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND FOOD IMPORTS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN NIGERIA: A DYNAMIC OLS APPLICATION AND SIMULATION

Abstract

The physical and human capital stock of a country determines its economic development and functioning. Despite the Federal Government of Nigeria's initiatives and policies aimed at ensuring the country's long-term viability. Citizens' nutritional status is still a widespread issue that undermines productivity. For a period of 41 years, the impact of government expenditures and food importation on overweight and stunting was studied using dynamic ordinary least squares and simulation (1980-2020). Stunting and overweight are reduced as a result of food production and importation, according to the findings. Stunting and overweight will be reduced by 2.12 percent and 1.22 percent, respectively, if public spending increases and food imports are reduced by 30%. To complement public initiatives, the best alternative policy for improving Nigeria's nutrition status should focus on increasing government agriculture and health spending, as well as increasing food imports with a lower comparative advantage.

Keywords

• public expenditures
• food importation
• stunting
• overweight
• food production