INFLUENCE OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ON NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY (LASU)

Abstract

This study examined the influence of Economics students’ academic performance on
Nigeria’s economic development using evidence from Lagos State University (LASU). The
research specifically assessed the level of academic performance of Economics undergraduates, examined the relationship between academic performance and the supply of skilled human capital, and evaluated the impact of Economics graduates’ competencies on
economic policy formulation, labour market productivity, and economic growth trajectories in Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 441 Economics undergraduates across 100L to 400L using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and multiple regression analysis were
employed for data analysis at a 0.05 level of significance.The findings revealed that the academic performance of LASU Economics students was generally moderate to high, with improvement across academic levels. A strong and significant positive relationship was found between students’ academic performance and the supply of skilled human capital in Nigeria (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). Furthermore, regression results indicated that Economics graduates’ competencies significantly predicted economic policy formulation, labour market productivity, and economic growth trajectories, explaining 61% of the variation in economic development outcomes (R² = 0.61, F = 263.54, p < 0.05).The study concludes that strong academic performance in Economics is a critical driver of skilled human capital formation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria. It recommended improved instructional quality, reduced academic disruptions, and stronger university government linkages to integrate Economics graduates into national economic planning and policy processes.