Government Policy Effects and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Implications for Nigeria’s Economic Growth

Authors

  • Ibrahim Musa University of Abuja

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37385/ijedr.v7i1.9922

Keywords:

Government Policy, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Economic Growth

Abstract

This study examines the effects of government policies on sustainable entrepreneurship and their implications for economic growth in Nigeria. Recognising the strategic importance of sustainability-oriented enterprises in promoting long-term economic resilience, the study assesses how regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, institutional quality, and public investment shape entrepreneurial behaviour and business sustainability outcomes. Using annual time-series data from 1986 to 2022 and applying econometric techniques such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) analysis, and diagnostic tests, the research empirically evaluates the relationships among government policy variables, sustainable entrepreneurship indicators, and economic performance, measured by GDP growth. Findings reveal that supportive government policies, particularly tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and public investment in sustainable sectors, significantly enhance sustainable entrepreneurial activities and contribute positively to economic growth. Conversely, excessive regulatory burdens hinder entrepreneurship and slow economic expansion. Descriptive statistics further highlight uneven regional development across renewable energy investment, infrastructure, and human capital, which collectively influence entrepreneurial outcomes. The study underscores the critical role of coherent, well-implemented policies in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship as a pathway for economic diversification, innovation, and long-term growth in Nigeria. It concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen institutional capacity, improve regulatory efficiency, and expand sustainability-focused incentives.

References

Abubakar, H., Magaji, S. &Musa, I. (2025). Impact of Government Policies and Financial Support Programs on the Success of Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 16(5), 68-81

Acs, Z. J., Autio, E., & Szerb, L. (2016). National systems of entrepreneurship: Measurement issues and policy implications. Research Policy, 45(1), 10–23.

Adamu, A., Eke, I., & Magaji, S. (2009). "Sustainable Entrepreneurship in 21st Century Africa”. In Boris Urban and Kerrin Myres (eds) Entrepreneurship Research in Africa. Pp. 86-94 Heinemann.

Adeniran, A. O., Yusuf, S. A., & Adeyemi, O. A. (2018). Macroeconomic dynamics and economic growth in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 9(4), 45–56.

Adeyemi, S. L., & Oyelana, A. A. (2021). Entrepreneurship and economic development: Implications for government revenue. Journal of Economics and Public Finance, 7(2), 45–59.

Ahmed, S. O., Magaji, S., Ahmad, A. I. & Yunusa, A. A. (2024). From savings to empowerment: How women leverage SMEs in Oyo state, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.38124/IJISRT24MAR16110

Ajibola, L. R., Magaji, S., & Musa, I. (2025). Assessing the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks in enhancing stakeholder collaboration for sustainable procurement practices in Nigeria. ISA Journal of Business, Economics and Management (ISAJBEM), 2(5), [63–71]

Akintunde, O. A. (2020). Entrepreneurship and employment generation in Nigeria. African Journal of Business and Economic Research, 15(1), 112–129.

Ariyo, D. (2021). The role of SMEs in Nigeria’s economic development. Small Business Economics Review, 10(3), 55–67.

Cohen, B., & Winn, M. I. (2007). Market imperfections, opportunity and sustainable entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 22(1), 29–49.

Eneh, O. C. (2017). Sustainable development in Nigeria: Policy and institutional frameworks. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 19(3), 23–35.

Federal Government of Nigeria. (2020). National policy on micro, small, and medium enterprises. Government Press.

Ibrahim M., Shaheed, S. D., & Magaji, S. (2025b). "Assessing the Impact of Sustainable Entrepreneurial Practices on Nigeria’s Economic Growth and National Development". International Journal of Research in Management (IJRM), Vol. 15, No. 5, 2025, pp. 77–103. DOI: 10.26808/RS.2025.6ccc7e

Ibrahim, B. Z. F., Magaji, S., & Musa, I. (2025a). Evaluating the impact of national energy policy on environmental sustainability in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Global Academic and Scientific Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (GASJMS), 3(9), 49–58.

Ismail, Y., Musa, I., & Magaji, S. (2025). Analysis of the Impact of Financial Inclusion on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. MSI Journal of Economics and Business Management. 2(2), 10-20. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14907488

Magaji, S. Abubakar, M. M., & Temitope, Y.A. (2022). Impact of International Trade on Economic Growth: The Granger Causality Test Approach. International Journal of Accounting and Management Sciences, 1(2). 1 (2), 113-130.

Magaji, S., Ayo, A. A., Musa, I., & Ali, S. (2019). Relative impact of monetary policy instructions on economic growth in Nigeria. Lapai Journal of Economics. 3(2), 93-118

Magaji, S., Musa, I., Ike, C.I & Gombe BM. (2022a). Impact of Tax Incentive on Industrial Development in Nigeria (1985-2019). Abuja Journal of Economics and Allied Fields, 10(2) 26–36.

Mansur, M. M., Musa, I., & Magaji, S. (2025). Leveraging Entrepreneurship to Achieve Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research 13(3):392–410. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17213628

Musa, I., Ismail, Y., & Magaji, S. (2025). Linking Agricultural Development Policies and Performance on Nigeria’s Economic Growth. Loka Journal of Environmental Sciences. 2 (1), 169-191

North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change, and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.

Olufunmilayo, A. O. (2020). Entrepreneurship as a driver of economic diversification and resilience. Journal of African Economic Studies, 8(4), 77–93.

Olusakin, A. A. (2022). Resource optimisation, entrepreneurship, and poverty reduction in Nigeria. International Journal of Development Studies, 14(1), 88–104.

Oyelola, T. (2020). Entrepreneurship and the reduction of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Journal of Youth Development and Policy, 5(2), 34–49.

Schaltegger, S., & Wagner, M. (2011). Sustainable entrepreneurship and sustainability innovation: Categories and interactions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 20(4), 222–237.

Scott, W. R. (2014). Institutions and organisations: Ideas, interests, and identities (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Siddique, M., & Choudhury, T. (2022). Entrepreneurship, economic independence, and global development: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16(1), 25–40.

Umar, A. B., Magaji, S., & Ismail, Y. (2025). Harnessing Natural Gas for Economic Transformation: Overcoming the Regulatory and Infrastructural Bottlenecks in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), 12(8), 2343-2353. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120800211

World Bank. (2020). Nigeria development update: Resilience through reforms. World Bank Publications.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Musa, I. (2026). Government Policy Effects and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Implications for Nigeria’s Economic Growth. International Journal of Economics Development Research (IJEDR), 7(2), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.37385/ijedr.v7i1.9922