It is observed that despite the legislative endorsement of the West Africa Countries there is still a glaring divergence in economic structures, which impedes the performance to realize macroeconomic convergence and economic growth within the region. This paper investigated the effects of trade and financial indexes in WAMZ on economic growth. The paper uses three variables and a host of control measures to focus on six countries of WAMZ covering the periods of 2001-2018. Given the heterogeneous nature of the information gathered for the study, the models are cast in static and dynamic panel frameworks that provided micro-structure for the combined data analysis. The models were tested with various econometric and statistical instruments. Results from the analysis show that exported trade is highly concentrated to fewer goods, while imported trade is concentrated on more products and partners; that is, countries in WAMZ tend to shadow liberal import policy. The weak link was also noticed among financial and trade indexes and economic growth in the WAMZ economies. The implications call for short term economic plans and policies in the WAMZ economies so as to collectively monitor economic policies and growth. We equally observed that the structures of the economies in the region are heterogeneous making it rather difficult for regional trade and financial indicators to accelerate output growth in the region. Thus our basic postulations are an inter-policy approach on social, political and economic (trade and finance) arrangements that would neutralize the heterogeneity and foster institutional and attitudinal reforms, eliminate insecurity challenges, and spur political stability and responsible leadership within the regions.

The improvement in the standard of living of citizenry is beyond lack of money but the poverty to access financial instruments and means to financial platforms. Such that lack of access to financial instruments and services is a major veritable channel for poverty amplification in the society. This paper examines the relationship between Mobile Money Operations (MMOs) and Financial Inclusion in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The paper also analysis the trends of the instruments of financial inclusion and MMOs in Nigeria from 2012 to 2019. The primary and secondary were data sourced and analyzed with the Net Balance Methods, Instruments of inferential and descriptive statistics. The survey results show a visual cycle of higher number of respondents with secondary school qualifications and less which have led to low income and an ineffective participation to mobile money and financial inclusions in the rural areas. We equally observed that poor internet and mobile networks, epileptic power supply, unclear economic policies among others are major setback for the insignificant relationship between MMOs and financial inclusion in the Niger Delta region. This implies that the growth of mobile banking and financial inclusions to facilitate financial system soundness and enhances economic growth and development required more motivations from institutions other than the financial institutions; as a ways of encouraging increased Nigerians participation. Base on the result the paper can assumes that the financial system has provided the needed instrument for citizen participation but the social and economic conditions of the country is the bottleneck for financial inclusions.

Financial product awareness is an efficient remedy for poverty reduction as against lack of money. However, a holistic literature on financial product awareness in the six Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria is scarce. Using data from a quarterly survey of households in Nigeria, this paper investigated the influence of financial literacy, Socioeconomic and demographic factors on saving behaviors of Nigerians, age 15 to 70. With a pool of methods, our finding supported the observation from similar economies, but revealed some differences as well. We observed that financial literacy and proximity to financial products and services among others are the most significant determinants of savings behaviors of Nigerians. It is fair to say financial awareness and factors that influences it are necessary for the formulation of strategies to increase the inclusion of more members of the society into the formal financial stream.

This paper examined bank-specific performance indicators and macroeconomic factors affecting the short-term financing obligation of Nigerian banks from 2010 to 2019. The data for the study are sourced annually from the financial statements of the selected Deposit Money Banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. The panel unit root and co-integration tests are employed to ascertain the sustainability of the bank-specific performance indicators. The models for the industry were cast in a host of panel frameworks such that we estimated the static and dynamic panel models. The study observed that the capital adequacy ratio, which is the short-term financing obligation of Nigerian banks was elastic to bank profitability positively. In addition, interbank call rate, bank size, and oil price positively influence the capital adequacy ratio over time, whereas loan-to-deposit ratio, inflation and exchange rate exacerbate the capital adequacy ratio. Consequently, we canvass that Nigerian banks should reduce dividend payouts and increase retained profits as a buffer against exposed risks.