Effect of Fiscal Policy on the Real Sector of the Nigerian Economy: A Focus on Government Capital Expenditure and Agricultural Sector Contribution to GDP

Government expenditures play key roles in the operation of all economies. It refers to expenses incurred by the government for the maintenance of itself and provision of public goods, services, and works needed to foster or promote economic growth and improve the welfare of people in the society. This study examined the effect of fiscal policy on real sector growth in Nigeria. Focusing on government capital expenditure and its effect on the growth of the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design and regression analysis as methodology using ARDL. Descriptive statistics and graphs were also used to complement the regression result. The result from the study found that there is a significant and positive effect of government capital expenditure on the growth of the agricultural sector in Nigeria. The implication of the study is that fiscal policy through government capital expenditure will increase the agricultural sector growth and thereby increases its contributions to the growth of the economy. This means that when there is enough revenue, the government only spends more money on infrastructural development that can help the agriculture sectors to grow by having access to good road and electricity. The result is an indication that government capital spending in Nigeria has been able to spur the economic growth of Nigeria through agricultural sector output. Based on the findings, the study makes the following recommendations; Government of Nigeria should adhere strictly to the implementation of government spending so as to increase the level of real sector development in Nigeria which will have the capacity to stimulate economic growth and create employment.