THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AIR QUALITY AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: 1980-2012
Akintunde T.S1., Akanbi B.E1. and Satope, B.F2.
1Department of Economics, Osun State University, Okuku Campus
2Department of Economics, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
E-mail: temitopeoladejo@yahoo.com
Abstract: Human capital development is very important to the development of any nation. However, several factors may hinder this development and the quality of air is a factor. While many studies have looked at the relationship between air quality and economic growth, few studies have examined the causal link between air quality and human capital particularly, Nigeria, hence this study. We assessed the trends of carbon dioxide emissions, life expectancy and primary school enrolment. This was with a view to determining the direction of causality between carbon dioxide emissions, life expectancy and primary school enrolment. The study period is from 1980 to 2012. The results showed that a one-way causality was running from carbon dioxide to life expectancy and a one-way causality was running from primary school enrolment to carbon dioxide emissions. The government need to put up and implement policies that will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions since this will eventually improve the human capital development in Nigeria.