This study used the classical least squares method to empirically examine interest rate deregulation effect on the lending operations of Nigerian commercial banks for the period 1970 to 2013. The period was divided into two policy regime periods; the regulated interest rate era spanning 1970-1986 and the deregulated period 1987-2013. The Chow test was applied to examine if there was any significant difference in the relationship between interest rate and commercial banks' lending for the two periods. The empirical result obtained for the interest rate regulation era showed that interest rate spread and statutory liquidity ratio had negative and significant effect on the volume of commercial banks' loans, while fixed exchange rate had negative and insignificant impact on banks' loans and advances. It was found that Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and inflation rate exert a positive and significant impact on banks' loans for the period. For the deregulation era, the result showed that MPR and the exchange rate had significant impact on banks' loans and advances. While the former exerted a negative impact, the later had a positive influence on loans and advances. Interest rate spread, statutory liquidity ratio and inflation rate were found not to have significantly impacted on commercial banks' loans and advances for the period. The chow test result confirms the impact of deregulation on volume of commercial banks loans and advances due to the deregulation of interest rate. The study submits that, there exist a relatively inelastic relationship between interest rate spread and banks' loans at the deregulated interest rate era. This was largely attributed to imperfections as well as the underdeveloped nature of the financial market. The study suggests that the monetary authority should evolve a guided interest rate deregulation regime with MPR increasingly used to regulate the activities of commercial banks in the area of loans and advances. In order to deepen the financial sector, there is the need to improve financial infrastructure which will enhance commercial bank operations resulting in a more competitive financial market and an improved investment climate in the country.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Inequalities in maternal health care services prevent women of reproductive ages from accessing required care. The existence of equitable distribution channels can substantially diminish these discrepancies. This study examines the inequalities in maternal health care utilization outcomes and the socioeconomic factors that contribute to these inequalities and identifies the delivery channels that can effectively reduce disparities in utilization. The paper employed 2013 and 2018 data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. The utilization variables are; at least four antenatal care visits, deliveries by skilled birth attendants, delivery in a health facility, and postnatal care attendance. The degree of socioeconomic disparities in maternal outcomes was evaluated using the Erreygers concentration indices and the slope index of inequality. The decomposition analysis was performed using a TPM model to determine the contribution of various socioeconomic factors to inequality in the utilization outcomes. Findings reveal that disparities in the country's utilization of maternal health care services are prevalent. The community-based health delivery channel is the least inequitable. It can work effectively in mitigating socioeconomic disparities in maternal care uptake. The significant contributors to inequalities in the indicators of maternal healthcare utilization are education and wealth indices.