By: Sandra Ujunwa Nwofia, Lasbrey I. Anochinwa, Makuachukwu G. Ojide
Pages: 615–636, Volume: 3, Number: 1
Published by: AEFUNAI Journal of Economics, Finance and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, 2/1/2026, 2026
ISSN (Electronic): 2536-6742
DOI:
Resource Abundance and Population Health in Nigeria: Testing the Resource Curse
Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of natural resource abundance (TNR) on population health outcomes—specifically life expectancy (Life), infant mortality (Infant), and under-five mortality (U_five). The study spans 1985-2023, using annual time-series data sourced from the World Development Indicators and the Central Bank of Nigeria. The analysis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to test the existence of a health-related “resource curse” in Nigeria. The findings reveal that resource abundance does not automatically translate into better health outcomes; instead, it often correlates with increased mortality rates due to environmental degradation and the neglect of health infrastructure.
Keywords: Resource abundance, Population health, Resource curse, Health infrastructure
How to Cite
Nwofia, S. U., Anochinwa, L. I., & Ojide, M. G. (2026). Resource Abundance and Population Health in Nigeria: Testing the Resource Curse. AEFUNAI Journal of Economics, Finance and Development Studies (AEFUNAI-JEFDS), Vol. 3(1), 615–636.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)
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