This study determines how political institution (factor) and oil prices play a significant role in exchange rate instabilities in Nigeria between and . Employing a VECM model with time series and structural analysis, the study decomposes the oil prices into positive and negative shocks. The findings show a symmetric impact from positive and negative oil shocks while political/institutional factor, on the contrary, indicates an asymmetric impact on exchange rates. The study, therefore, recommends that strong political institution that promotes good governance, accountability and transparency should be put in place. This will untimely reduce the cost of importation that prevents the country from reaping the benefits of positive oil price shocks. While this study employs one of the unique approaches to the study of exchange rates worldwide, it also provides insights to how institutional/political factor contribute to exchange rate instability in Nigeria.

This study examined the effects of food price spikes on the quantity and quality of the dietary composition of farm households in Nigeria using the  2010/2011, 2012/2013 and 2015/2016 household survey panel data. The fixed effects models were estimated while controlling for participation in non-farm livelihood activities. Analysis indicated that seasonal comparisons of the average per capita daily calorie intake is lowest in the post-harvest season of 2011 (2511.44 kilocalories), which is higher than the average recommended intake. Results showed that rural households had lower per capita calorie intake and dietary diversity than urban households, which may be an indication of a shift in the calorie inadequacy from urban to rural farm households’ setting in Nigeria. In addition, income and education improvement are crucial for raising food calories and satisfaction of hunger needs among households with total food consumption expenditure of 79.0%. The study recommended that a combination of policy strategies, including income growth, agricultural development and targeted food distribution programs could reduce the problems of inadequate calorie consumption among farm households. Keywords: Food price increase, household, nutrition, dietary diversity

<p>This study examines whether greater women’s household bargaining power is associated with the improvement in children’s welfare in Ogun State, Nigeria. Using data from 320 farm households with a Logit regression model, the study revealed that 31.86 % of children under-five years of age were stunted, 32 % were underweight and 16.2 % were wasted. Children growing up healthy were 62 %, implying that one – third of under-five children in the study area still experience nutrition deficiency. About 3.33 % and 1.05 % children simultaneously experienced stunting and wasting together, which perhaps suggests a harsh deprivation environment. In addition, 63.33 % of women in the study area had low bargaining power implying that they lack control over important decisions in their households. Women who enjoy decision-making power in their households, particularly with large purchasing power, are associated with having children with better height-for-age, mass-for-age, and mass-for-height ratios. Women’s inequality as relates to intra-household bargaining power negatively affects children’s welfare and leads to chronic malnutrition. As a policy recommendation, it is therefore, important to enhance women’s status, which, with time will lead to more investment in their children’s education, health, and overall welfare.</p>

This study examines the socioeconomic determinants of women’s empowerment or bargaining power among married couples living in farm households in Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique is employed to collect cross-sectional data from 320 farm households aged between 15 to 50 years. Women’s empowerment or bargaining power is measured using 18 questions, and a Tobit regression model is used to analyze all the variables employed. According to the findings, husbands have five more years of formal education than wives and literacy rates are higher for men (62%) than for women (30%). This differenceleads to more decision-making power for men. The result shows that there is a visible gender disparity in the worth and value of assets brought into the marriage, with the men bringing around 34% while that of the women is around 3% making men the main decision-makers and women less empowered. As a policy recommendation, women’s status in society should be enhanced through investment in education and well-being. Additionally, policies and programs aimed at leveraging the bargaining power of the woman in her attempts to make decisions in the household and increasing her empowerment should be formulated and implemented by policymakers.