Browsing by Author "Joseph, Afolabi Ibikunle"

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    ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN LOWER MIDDLE INCOME WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES
    (The Nigeria Journal of Energy & Environmental Economics (NJEE) Department of Economics NAU, Awka, 2026-03) Oyerinola, David Sunday; Joseph, Afolabi Ibikunle
    This study examines the effects of ecological footprints on health outcomes in seven lowermiddle-income West African countries over the period 1990–2024, using the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) and Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimators, which account for cross-sectional dependence, slope heterogeneity, and non-stationarity in panel data analysis. The empirical results show that an increase in ecological footprint reduces life expectancy, while increasing maternal mortality and infant mortality. At the component level, built-up land, forest products, and fishing grounds emerge as the most significant drivers of deteriorating health outcomes in the region. In contrast, government health expenditure and urbanization significantly reduce both maternal and infant mortality, while secondary school enrollment positively influences life expectancy and also helps to reduce infant mortality. However, GDP per capita is found to have no statistically significant effect on any of the health outcome indicators. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need for environmentally sustainable development policies, as well as targeted investments in healthcare and education, to improve population health outcomes across lower-middle-income West African countries.