INDUSTRIALIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Industrialization has been identified by both policy makers and scholars as a vital tool for economic growth however in Nigeria the industrial sector which is saddled with this responsibility seems to be performing below expectation as regards its contribution to economic growth. This study therefore seeks to examine the impact of industrialization on economic growth in Nigeria by investigating the effects of Crude oil and Natural gas sector (CNG), Manufacturing sector (MAN), and Solid mineral sector (SM) in the Nigerian industry on the real Gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria. The study obtained secondary data from the central bank of Nigeria 2025 and the study employed Auto Regressive Distribution Lag(ARDL) estimation technique and the bound test from the ARDL shows the existence of long run and short run relationship. The short run estimation results reviewed that solid minerals SM positively impact the economic growth in Nigeria but considering the significant predictors the results shows that solid mineral is not significant. The long run estimation results reviewed that manufacturing sector MAN is a negative determinant of economic growth in Nigeria while CNG and SM are positive determinants of economic growth but considering the significant predictors the result shows that MAN and CNG are significant and is key for a positive impact on economic growth in Nigeria. The study concludes that industrialization will promote real GDP in Nigeria with respect to the following sub sectors. This study recommends the expansion of the Manufacturing sector and the Crude oil and natural gas sector as it will bring about increase in Nigeria GDP.