Abstract
The term savings refers to the part of income immediately spent or consumed but
reserved for futureconsumption, investment or unforeseen contingencies. This
study examines the determinants of savings in Nigeria between 1985-2011, which
will enable us to proffer solution for the improvement of savings in the economy,
since it is an important component of the economic development of any country.
The method of analysis used in testing the hypothesis are coefficient of multiple
determination {R2}, T –test,F-statistics. Data for the study was obtained from the
central bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin, the major findings was that per capita
disposable income{pdy} has a positive and significant impact on aggregate savings
in Nigeria. Based on the findings, some recommendations of policy and
suggestions have been made.
1:1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Capital formation is an important factor of an economy growth. For a
country like Nigeria to attain economic growth, serious effort should be geared
towards capital formation by encouraging savings.
The financial institution markets, regulators and instrument interact within an
economy to provide financial services such as foreign exchange transaction,
financial intermediation and resources mobilization and allocation.
The financial system in Nigeria can be categorized into two, the
formal (organized) and informal (unorganized) financial system. The formal
financial system is categorized into capital and money market institutions and these
comprises of the banks and non banks financial institution, while the informal
sector is made up of the local money lenders (Esusu), the thrifts and savings
associations, merchants, shopkeeper or traders, friends and relatives etc. here the
system is poorly developed, limited economic information, defective system of
accounting and not integrated into the formal financial system. But it is very
important and plays a major role in the Nigerian financial system.
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Miracle and Cohen (1980) noted that a great bulk of the African population makes
little or no use of formal saving and lending institutions, because they offer
relatively low returns, savers are reluctant to use formal institutions.
The crucial role played by the financial system in the economic development
of an economy was recognized by Gold Smith (1955), Cameron (1967), McKinnon
(1973), and Shaw (1973), they demonstrated that the financial sector could be a
catalyst of economic growth if it is well developed and healthy. Over the past
decades, the declining rends in saving rates in Nigeria have been of great concern
to the policy makers and researchers. This is due to the critical importance of
savings for the maintenance of strong and sustainable growth in the world
economy especially in Nigeria. A sound, developed, healthy and reliable financial
system relate to saving mobilization efficient financial intermediaries roles, is first
to reduce hoarding and help spread the risk between household and firms.
Secondly, hey create liquidity in the economy by borrowing short term and
lending long term loan. Thirdly disseminate information between ultimate lenders
and ultimate borrowers there by mobilizing savings from surplus units and
channeling them to deficit units through the help of financial techniques,
instruments, and institution. Fourth, lower interest rate by bringing about stability
in capital market. Fifth, the intermediaries promote development in the financial
transaction. Gibson and Isiaka Lobos (1994). The Nigeria financial system
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comprises he regulatory/supervisory authorities, bank and non bank financial
institution.
As at the end of 2007, the system comprised of the regulatory/supervisory
authority. The Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nature Insurance Commission
(NAICOM), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) and finally the Federal Mortgage Bank of
Nigeria (FMBN). The CBN is the principal regulator and supervisor in the money
market followed by deposit money banks (DMBS), Discount Houses, the people
bank of Nigeria and Community Banks. The CBN exclusively regulates the
activities of the finance companies and promotes the establishment or specialized
or development financial institution.
The security and exchange commission (SEC) is the apex regulatory
authority in the capital market. The Nigeria stock exchange (NSE) is a self
regulatory or user regulatory institution. The issuing house, registrars and stock
brokers, who also interact with the money market, complete the chain the capital
the NAICOM is the regulatory authority in the insurance industry while FMBN
regulates mortgage finance activities in Nigeria.
Saving refers to the part of income not immediately spent or consumed
but reserved for future consumption, investment or unforeseen contingencies, it is
considered as an indispensable weapon for economic growth and development. Its
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role is reflected in capital formation through increase in capital stock and the
impact its makes on the capacity to generate more and higher income.
Savings can also be known as a sacrifice of current consumption that
provides for the accumulation of capital, which in turn, provides additional output
that can potentially be used for consumption in the future(GERSOVIZ 1988).in
other words savings is the different between current earnings and consumption. We
can also define savings as he deposit and saving ability acquired by the organized
financial institution including bank and non banking financial intermediaries or it
is described as a financial accumulated by the public, both government and private
agents in the organized financial channels. These financial assets include savings
and time deposit in the banking institution provident funds, insurance premium
stocks and bonds etc.the intermediation process involves moving funds from
surplus sectors of the economy to deficits sector units(Nnann and Englama
2004).To expand financial savings involves shifting of fund from the personal and
household sector to the business or corporate sector which in turn leads to greater
investment, income growth, employment and capital formation, which cannot be
achieved without increasing the rate of savings.
Nigerians savings still falls below the requirement of its financial system
due to low per capital income, under investment in productive instruments, and
investment in unproductive channels e.g. Glod, jewel, income inequalities and
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demonstration effects, etc.to remedy this problem depend on the level of
development of the financial sector mentioned above as well as the saving habit of
the citizens. The availability of investible funds can be a starting point for all
investment. In the economy which will eventually translate to economic growth
and development (Uremadu 2006).
The relationship among savings, investment and growth has historically been
very close, hence the unsatisfactory growth performance of several developing
countries, example Nigeria, has been attributed to poor savings and investment.
This poor growth performance has generally led to a dramatic decline in
investment. Domestic savings rates have not better, thus worsening the already
uncertain balance of payment position, the role of savings in the economic growth
of any country cannot be overemphasized (Cheta 1999). Conceptually, savings
represent that part of income not spent on current consumption.
Institutions in financial sector like deposit money banks (DMBS) commercial
Banks mobilize savings in an economy, the deposit rate must be relatively high and
inflation rate stabilized to ensure a high positive real interest rate which motivates
investors to save from their disposable income.
In Nigeria Odoko and Englama (2004) are of the view that the level of funds
mobilization by financial institution is quite low due to a number of reason,
ranging from low savings deposits rates of the poor banking habit or culture of
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people. According to them another impediment to funds mobilization is the
attitudes of banks to small savers.
Another limitation of saving mobilization is the fact that the concentrations of
banks are heir offices are based in favour of urban areas. Among the reasons for
this, is the fact that the established banks under rate the volume of savings seeking
to be mobilized and channeled into productive investment in the rural areas. It is
often argued that since the rural economy operates at a near subsistence level, there
is very little that can be squeezed out of income and consumption. Because of this,
it has not been realized that the large volume of idle funds, through is small units
per individuals exist in the rural areas.
In Nigeria there is basically lack of incentives to savings which had
adversely affected savings. Some of these factors include poor banking habits,
attitude of banks to small savers, poor orientation, unemployment, instability in the
political system etc, corrupt taxation system, instability in banking system etc. one
of the problems of mobilizing savings and deposits has always been a major
problem for economic growth and development in Nigeria.
According to Friedman (1952) the impact of health on saving has been long
recognized in theory, but its effect on the aggregate savings have been considered
to be over shadowed by another factor, inflation causes price of tangible assets to
rise sharply and changes in net worth based on rising market value giving the
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illusion of well being the magnitude of the impact of wealth on saving rate may
have the reassured experiences of economic crisis have highlighted the fact low
and declining saving rate have contributed to generate unsustainable current
account deficits in many countries.
The above arguments underscores the fact that there exist a link between savings
and the growth performance of the economy, both in Nigeria and in the world over.
This necessitates the need to carry out a detailed study of what actually determines
the rate of savings in the contexts of Nigeria economy.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Saving is a macro-economic variable used to attain economic growth and
development (Wikipedia encyclopedia, 2009). In Nigeria, there is lasting need to
further step-up efforts in mobilizing small savings in both urban and rural areas,
given the poor savings culture of the Nigerian people and the theoretical link
between saving and investment which underscore the importance of savings on the
growth of every economy. When savings are low, interest rate increases and
investments becomes low there will be low income and decrease in the Gross
National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation which
leads to the poor living standard of the people and hinders the depositors from
savings.
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This research work would attempt to examine the magnitude and nature of such
variable as interest rate, inflation, income, urbanization on savings in Nigeria.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION
Important research question that arise include what are then the determinant
of saving in Nigeria economy? Could it be that there are few dominant
determinants of saving due to our poor economy? Could these dominants be
consumption rather and interest or many more? Why is the rate of savings in
Nigeria very low? Is it as a result of saving in Nigeria very low? Is it as a result of
policies requiring further review to make if effective the study intends to answer
these questions?
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The broad objectives of the study are to examine the determinant of savings
in Nigeria economy. However, the specific objectives are as follows.
1. To determine the impact of savings on the economic growth
2. To determine whether consumption expenditure is a major determinant of
savings in Nigeria economy.
3. To determine the magnitude and nature of the elasticity’s of the savings
functions in Nigeria.
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1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings and subsequent proposal would be useful to policy makers in
policy formations. This study as believed by the researchers would go a long way
in contributing to the academic development of the theories of determinant of
savings in Nigeria, student of economics and other related fields, would find the
study very useful and would serve as a reference point to future researches who
might want to research further on the topic.
1.6 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESES
H1: the determinant of savings in Nigeria cannot be ascertained
H2: the magnitude and nature of the elasticities of the savings functions in
Nigeria cannot be determined.
H1: the factor that influence savings have no significant determinant in
Nigeria.
H2: saving has no significant impact on economic growth.
1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study is to estimate and evaluate the determinants of
savings in Nigeria (1980-2008). The research has been contained by lack of fund,
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human error and limited time frame which imposed difficulties when serious
attempt to effect a general in depth towards the study of the determinants of saving
in Nigeria.