The Impact Of International Trade On Economic Growth Of Nigeria (1980-2017):- Elijah Eberechi M

ABSTRACT The study examined the impact ofinternational trade on economic growth rangingfrom 1980- 2017 accordingly; the study used the method of ordinary least square econometric technique and unit root testing for the purpose of examining international trade and economic growth. (Exchange rate and openness to the economy) on economic growth in Nigeria. We found negative and weak complementarity between trade openness and economic growth. Therefore, the results ofthe study validate the trade-led growth hypothesis in the case ofNigeria. This implies that a substantialportion ofthe economic expansion ofNigeria is internal. The heavily dependence on international trade may be detrimental to fiscal sustainability and economic growth This research thus recommends that Nigerian governmentshould give more emphasis to Specialization in agriculture for diversification of her production and export base so as to enable the country gain all the benefits of trade including economic growth.Similarly, government should take aggressive measures with the intent to overcoming the trade related challenges ofeconomic growth identified by the study. It is also recommend that the country’s trade should not only be on primary and oil exports but also the promotion of non-primary exports and non-oil export i. e. manufactured goods. International trade strategy must be hinged on the recognition that government is necessitated to take needful steps for the fostering of competitiveness and productivity of enterprises in the export sector, i.e. upgrading infrastructures, enhancing human capital development, developing and improving technology via an upsurge in allocation of resources to research and development via government spending