Challenges to Nigeria's Economic Growth: The Impact of Climate Change and Population Growth

This study investigates the impact of climate change and population growth on the economic growth of Nigeria. The analysis is conducted by considering certain independent variables, including population growth rate, exportable goods and services growth rate, temperature, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption, rainfall, and GDP. The relationships between these variables are examined using the ARDL cointegration technique, covering the data from 1980 to 2019. The results reveal significant correlations between economic growth and independent variables, with particular emphasis on the roles of CO2 emissions, temperature, and rainfall in supporting productive production. In addition, a unidirectional causal relationship was found between gross national product and CO2 emissions, indicating significant implications for Nigeria's productivity. Based on these findings, the study recommends investing more in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower, reducing reliance on coal and nuclear power, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and developing new technologies that will increase productivity while minimizing environmental impact