RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND NIGERIA’S EXTERNAL TRADE: A GRANGER CAUSALITY ANALYSIS
Abstract
The study examines the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and Nigeria’s external trade balance during a 43-year period from 1981 to 2023. Trade balance, exchange rate, inflation rate, RGDP, and money supply were sourced from various yearly published statistics of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the World Bank data repository. The collected data were analyzed using the Granger causality model. The exchange rate was established to influence trade balance despite its fluctuation and persistent uncertainty. Money supply and trade balance also influenced each other. In line with the finding of the study, Nigeria should implement timely monetary policy intervention to track exchange rate movements and mitigate adverse balance of trade effects. The government should also promote policies that improve trade logistics to enhance a strong trade balance without necessarily devaluing the Naira.
Keywords:
Exchange rate, External trade, Devaluation, Granger causality, TrendsDownloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16965273Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 BASHIR O. NAJEEM, OLAYIWOLA O. HABEEB , ABUBAKAR I. FATIMAH

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Adejo, P. (2024). An evaluation of how exchange rate fluctuations have influenced both quality of life and economic development in Nigeria from 1990 to 2023. Master’ Thesis in Economics, International Business School, Jonkoping University.
Adewale, A. M., Olopade, B. C., & Ogbaro, E. O. (2024). Effect of exchange rate on foreign direct investment in Nigeria. ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 5(2), 302-318.
Aduragbemi, K. A. (2018). Effect of the real exchange rate on trade balance and economic growth in Nigeria. Project submitted to the Department of Economics, TAI Solarin University of Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Nigeria
Bakle, S. K., Gosshit, G. G., & Abimiku, A. C. (2024). Exchange Rate Volatility and Manufacturing Sector exports in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology and Social Strategies, 11(1), 1-22.
Central Bank of Nigeria (2021). Exchange rate management in Nigeria Understanding Monetary Policy Series 8
Danmola, R. A., Wakili, A. M., & Oladipo, K. S. (2013). Dynamics of the trade balance: An empirical investigation of Nigerian J-Curve hypothesis. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 7(4), 51-57
David, S., Bognet, C. A., Akutson, S., Birat, S., Maisamari, F. K., & Sheyin, S. H. (2024). Analysis of the impact of exchange rates on exports in Nigeria. MKAR Journal of Economics and Development, 2(1), 47-64
Echobu, J., Kighir, E. A., & Odunko, S. N. (2024). Imports, Exports and Foreign Reserves in Nigeria: Exploring the long and short run relationships from the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) Approach. Fudma Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, 2(3), 73-83.
Ezuem, M. D. & Sagbara, B. V. (2025). Impact of exchange rate on foreign trade in Nigeria. Gusau International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 8(1), 112-130.
Gbadebo, A. O., Ogbonna, K. S., & Igwe, E. I. (2020). Currency devaluation and non-oil export of Nigeria: 1986-2018. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 8(3), 1-13.
Ijirshar, V. U., Okpe, I. J. & Andohol, J. T. (2022). Impact of exchange rate on trade flow in Nigeria. CBN Journal of Applied Statistics, 13(2), 185-222
Ikuemonisan, E. S. (2024). Challenges and strategies in Nigerian agribusiness entrepreneurship for sustainable development. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 5(115), 1-19.
Iwuoha, J. C. & Awoke, C. F. (2019). Impact of real exchange rate on non-oil exports in Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Economics and Development Studies, 8, 83-93.
Jhigan, M. L. (2006). Economic development. New Delhi: Vrinda Publications Ltd.
Nwaolisa, E. F., (2017). Effects of exchange rate fluctuations on the balance of payment in the Nigerian economy. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), 5(12), 7576-7583.
Nweke, A. M., Eze, O. M., & Atunna, E. (2020). Analysis of the effect of exchange rate depreciation on export performance in Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 22(6), 48-60.
Ogunbukola, M. (2024). Strengthening Nigeria’s economy and the Naira: A path to recovery through economic policy and global best practices. September 20, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384171818
Ohalezim, A. (2022). Assessing the impact of imported refined crude oil from the EU on Nigeria’s economic growth and development. Retrieved from https://regions.regionalstudies.org /ezine/article/issue-15-oil-imports-eu-nigeria/
Okeke, L. N., Okeke, T. C. & Okereke, C. (2023). International trade effect on domestic final consumption in Nigeria. Nnadiebube Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2), 29-40.
Salvatore, D.(2016). International Economics (12th edition). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. https://www.academia.edu/31514190/Salvatore_d_international_economics
Simon-Oke, O. O. & Aribisala, S. E. (2010). Exchange rate deregulation and industrial performance. African Research Review, 4(2), 236-251.
Stephen, E. A. & Obah, O. D. (2017). The impact of international trade on economic growth in Nigeria: An econometric analysis. Asian Finance and Banking Review, 1(1), 20-47.
Sule, S. A., Hakim, L., Tri Rahayu, S. A., Samudro, E. R., Putro, T. R., & Pamungkas, P. (2023). The effect of exchange rate on export in Nigeria: An econometric analysis. The Journal of Economics and Entrepreneurship, 2(2), 117-136.
World Bank (2020). Adding fuel to the fire: Cheap oil during the Covid19 pandemic. Policy Research Working Paper 9320
Zadeh, J. (2025). Understanding the devaluation of the naira in Nigeria: Causes and impact. Retrieved from https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/naira-devaluation-crisis-nigeria-2025- economic-pressure/