BUSINESS AND FINANCE JOURNAL

The sustainability of Nigeria's economic growth has come under scrutiny due to its significant reliance on oil exports and mounting external debt. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been viewed as a possible engine for economic growth and diversification. Thus, the impacts of external debt, oil export and FDI on economic growth in Nigeria are examined in this study. Time series data was utilized spanning 43 years between 1981 and 2023 to analyze the dynamic relationships between external debt, oil exports, FDI, and economic growth. The empirical process includes preliminary analysis (descriptive analysis; pre-test: unit root test [using ADF test]; cointegration test [ARDL bounds test]); model estimation (ARDL model) and post-estimation test. Following the empirical analysis, it was found that economic growth was positively and significantly impacted by external debt and FDI in Nigeria. Similarly, it is discovered that oil export has a beneficial impact on economic growth, indicating its potential as a catalyst for economic expansion and diversification. The findings have significant ramifications for decision-makers who want to support Nigeria's sustainable economic development and prosperity. Based on the foregoing outcomes, the study recommends that the government should give careful external debt management first priority which would entail a thorough evaluation of the project, open reporting of debt, and a dedication to keeping debt-to-GDP ratios within reasonable bounds. The government should also look into value-added potential in the oil industry, and efforts should be made to draw in more FDI.