This study estimated the long run and short dynamics between government expenditure and industrial development in Nigeria from 1981 to 2016 with the view to evaluating how the industrial sector has been influenced by variation in government expenditure. The Autoregressive Distribute Lag (ARDL) was the technique applied. We found with dismay that government expenditure has not positively affected industrial development in Nigeria both in long run and short run despite the continuous rise in government expenditure and various policies of the government towards improving industrial performance in Nigeria. Funds allocated for environmental factors of production such as electricity, road, water, communication, etc. should be appropriately utilized. Political officer holders, contractors executing capital projects, people in corridors of powers, etc. who are embroil in misappropriation or embezzlement of public fund should be properly tried and punished if found guilty.

The effect of government expenditure on the standard of living has different impact for various level of economies. In this study, we determined the effect of government recurrent and capital expenditure on the standard of living in Nigeria using a test of causation. The long and short run estimates were done by utilizing an Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model using data that spanned from 1981 to 2018. Findings/Originality: Precipitously, we asserted that government recurrent and capital expenditure have a significant effect on the standard of living in Nigeria. Nevertheless, that is not the true reflection of the living standard in the country. There is an enormous need for the government to increase its expenditure on the health sector. Investment in healthcare is positively related to economic growth and has the potential of reducing poverty, hence a better standard of living. The Federal Government of Nigeria ought to, as a matter of direness, prioritize capital expenditure over recurrent expenditure.

The effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria for a period of thirty-six (36) years that is, from 1981 to 2016 was the focus of this study. This study was inspired by two leading controversial issues in theoretical literature and empirical studies regarding the effect of government expenditure on economic growth for emerging economies. First, within the theoretical claim, Keynesian school of thoughts assert the presence of positive linkage between government expenditure and economic growth and development, while neoclassical economists refute this assertion and posited a negative association between government expenditure and economic growth and development. Identifying the side of these two arguments that is akin to all economies remains a puzzle among scholars as validation of either theory across the globe is still in vain. Secondly, the direction of relationship/causality between government expenditure and economic growth and development over the years is still not clear, especially for developing countries. Specifically, this study ascertained the effect of government recurrent and capital expenditure on the growth rate of real gross domestic product. We applied the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) Co-integration and Granger causality test using secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria. We found that Nigeria’s economic growth is independent/not affected by government recurrent and capital expenditure. We are of the opinion that the Federal Government through its appointed ministers in collaboration with the legislature review the composition of Federal Government of Nigeria total expenditure by ensuring that capital expenditure takes at least 50% of annual total expenditure. Measures such as reducing foreign training and bogus allowances for political office holders should be tailored towards reducing government consumption expenditures.