The influence of financial deepening on the economic growth of any nation cannot be underestimated. To this end, the study evaluated the effect of financial deepening on economic growth in Nigeria over a period of thirty three (33) years: 1986 to 2018. Data were collected from statistical bulletins of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and factbooks of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The model estimation followed the Auto-regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach with the effect estimated in line with the Granger Causality analysis. We found that economic growth in Nigeria is not affected by financial deepening. The study also stated that the level of growth in the economy is what influences the level of development in the banking sector. Nwakobi et al.; AJARR, 7(3): 1-9, 2019; Article no.AJARR.52016 2 and the capital markets to help in the efficient and effective mobilization of resources to accelerate the growth of the Nigerian economy. The insurance sector should not be left out in this regard even though citizens seem not to embrace the need for insurance policies. Impediments to the competition in the banking, insurance and capital market activities should be removed by strict legislation in line with international best practices and participants in the markets be protected as well. Original Research Article

Purpose: This article presents a study on the effect of fiscal policy on stock market development in an emerging West African economy with an emphasis on Nigeria for the period of 1986 to 2018. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of fiscal deficit on all share index including government total expenditure on market capitalization ratio, the value of stock traded, and turnover ratio using data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Methods: The Auto-regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) was the estimation technique employed in ascertaining the nature of the short-run relationship between fiscal policy and stock market development indices, whereas the effect of fiscal policy on stock market development was actualized under the granger causality analysis. Results: The result of the analysis revealed that fiscal deficit has no significant effect on all share index; government total expenditure has no significant effect on stock market capitalization ratio; government total expenditure has a significant effect on the value of stock traded ratio; government total expenditure has no significant effect on the stock market turnover ratio. Implication: Government should implement its fiscal policies to carefully accommodate the development of the stock market, as changes in fiscal policy affect the overall activities in the market and ultimately the economy.