There are increasing scholarly debates on the direction of policy to effectively improve the performance of banks. Some scholars argue that bank performance is enhanced by improvements in the internal organization and managerial efficiency others argue that industry wide factors are integral to bank performance. In recent times, the direction of literature has shown that macroeconomic factors play a significant role in determining bank profitability. This paper investigates the determinants of bank profitability in the light of bank specific variables, industry related factors and macroeconomic influences, using a panel of selected banks that account for over 60% of total bank assets in Nigeria. Findings show that bank profitability is largely determined by credit risk and other factors that relate to the internal organization of banking firms. Market concentration is significant as a determinant of bank profitability. There is no evidence of structure-conduct-performance hypothesis, however empirical results show that there is no collusive behavior amongst banks. Exchange rate is significant as a determinant of bank profitability through return on equity and non-interest margin, but not significant to return on asset as a measure of profitability.

The Niger Delta region is the oil producing area of Nigeria, which consists of highly diverse ecosystems that are supportive of numerous species of terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora. Crude oil spills endanger fish hatcheries in coastal water and also contaminate valuable fish. This study examines the effects of oil spills on fish production in the Niger Delta of Nigeria from 1981–2015 using an estimable Cobb Douglas production function. The findings suggest that oil production and spills negatively affect fish production, while farm labour has a positive effect on fish production. On the other hand, fishery loan exerts a negative effect on fish production and this could be ascribed to the bottlenecks in accessing these loans. This study corroborates the findings in literature on the negative concomitance of oil spills and fish production and suggests a cautious approach to oil exploration activities for a sustainable development in the region.

Background: Agricultural production is low in Nigeria as a result of low utilisation of farm inputs facilitated by farmers’ inability to save and invest. Therefore, credit is needed by farmers to enhance their productive capacity and efficiency in agriculture.Aim: Given the importance of credit to farmers, this study examined the nexus between households’ access to credit and agricultural production in Nigeria.Setting: The study made use of data from the Living Standard Measurement Study-Integrated Survey on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) consisting of 4210 households across the 36 states in Nigeria, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.Methods: The study employs the propensity score matching (PSM) technique.Results: The main result from the study suggests that households who had access to agricultural credit facilities had yields that are thrice those of their counterparts who did not benefit from such facilities. In the event of a shock, the farmers who did not have a source of credit are often forced to adopt measures such as lowering consumption and selling assets, which in the long run worsen their poverty levels.Conclusion: The study recommends that policymakers should address underlying factors that prevent access to credit for agricultural production, which is capable of raising the productive capacities of farmers.

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