Editorial Objectives

The AEFUNAI Journal of Economics, Finance and Development Studies (AEFUNAIJEFDS) is
committed to advancing scholarly research by providing a reputable platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners to publish original, peer-reviewed work in economics, finance, and development. Through rigorous editorial standards and a double-blind review process, the journal ensures its publications' integrity, relevance, and quality. It seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and foster intellectual exchange that bridges theory and practice, while encouraging contributions from emerging scholars and postgraduate researchers. By adhering to ethical research practices and the APA 6th edition documentation style, the journal maintains a high standard of academic excellence.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Anuli Regina Ogbuagu (Reader)
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Managing Editor

Dr. Lasbrey Anochiwa (Reader)
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Editors

Prof. Christopher Kalu
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Prof. Christy Igberi
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. Basil Chukwu
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. Ojide Makoachukwu
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. Nelson Nkwor
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Advisory Editorial Board Committee

Prof. F. O. Ozo
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Prof. P. C. Omoke
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Prof. K. E. Uma
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Prof. K. O. Onwuka
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Prof. U. I. Uwazie
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State

Prof. U. C. Nwogwugwu
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Prof. D. B. Ewubare
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

Dr. T. F. Agbanike
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. M. O. Enyoghasim
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Review Editors

Dr. R. O. Ojike
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. I. O. Ogbonnaya
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. M. Ikpe
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. K. Ahamba
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. G. E. Nzeribe
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Dr. C. Nwani
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Dr. C. Emenkwe
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Mr. Precious Ohalete
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Mr. Mathew Enyinnaya
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Mr. OĨa Nkama
Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State

Editorial Board of Networks

Dr. Bassey Anam
University of Calabar, Calabar

Prof. Ebele Ifionu
University of Port Harcourt

Prof. Maryam Abdu
Kaduna State University

Prof. G. Ihuoma
Center for Gender and ConĚict Studies UNIPORT

Prof. Judipat Obiora
University of Port Harcourt

Journal Articles

Evaluating the Impact of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme on Healthcare Access, Outcomes, and Financial Protection

¹Ohalete Cynthia Chekwube & ²Ohalete Precious Ifeanyi

^1&2Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Ndufu Alike Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The Impact of Financial Development on Nigeria's Social Welfare and Inequality

¹Ihugba, Okezie A., ²Akobundu, Precious, C., & ³Ndukwe-Ani, Pamela A.

^1,2&3Department of Economics, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri

Population Compartments and Food Security in Nigeria

¹Onyinye Ifeoma Ochuba & ²Ebikabowei Biedomo Aduku

^1&2Department of Economics, University of Africa, Toru orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Macroeconomic Performance and Stock Market Depth in Nigeria: A Non-Linear Analysis

¹Eze Ikechukwu Okereke, ²Kalu Uma, ³Ogbuagu Anuli Regina, & ⁴IkworOgbonnaya

^1,2,3&4Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Renewable Energy Adoption in Nigeria: Barriers to Implementation and Opportunities for Growth

¹Johnson Nchege E., ²Michael Oguwuike Enyoghasim & ³Ogbonna Nkemdirim Jennifer

¹Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
^2&3Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State

Security Threats and Agricultural Productivity: Farmers' and Community Leaders' Views on Kidnapping and Banditry in Zamfara State, Nigeria

¹Abdullahi Yusuf, ²Mansur Abdullahi, & ³M.M. Abdullahi

^1,2&3Department of Economics Zamfara State University Talata Mafara Federal University Gusau, Nigeria, Federal University Gusau, Nigeria

Asymmetric Effects of Non-Oil Tax Revenue on Economic Growth in Nigeria

¹Agbo Cyril Uchenna, ²Kalu Uma, ³Ogbuagu Anuli Regina & ⁴Eze Ikechukwu Okereke

^1,2,3&4Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Impact of Microfinance Credit on Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria

¹Chibunna Onyebuchi Onwubiko & ²Roseline Chinasa Agbaraevoh

^1&2Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria

Macroeconomic Determinants of Economic Recession in Nigeria

¹Edeh, Chukwudi Emmanuel, ²Edeh, Charity Nonyelum, & ³Ibrahim, Joel Michael

^1,2&3Department of Economics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Agbani

Analysis of the Impact of Health Expenditures on Per Capita Income in Nigeria

¹Aigbedion I. Marvelous, ²Joshua-Gyang, Emily, & ³Ataboh, Adah Noah

^1,2&3Department of Economics, Bingham University Karu

The Role of the Financial Sector in Fostering Sustainable Blue Economy

¹Nyerhovwo Kingsley Erakpotobor & ²Peter Akpoyomare Ekurume

¹Department of Economics, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State
²Programmes Department, Delta Broadcasting Service, Edjeba, Delta State

Macroeconomic Determinants and Underground Economy in Nigeria: A Currency Demand Approach

¹Agbaraevoh, Roseline Chinasa, ²Achara Larry Ogochukwu & ¹³Ndukwe- Tochi Chosen

¹Department of Accounting, Abia State University, Uturu
²Department of Management, Abia State University, Uturu
³Department of Marketing, Abia State University, Uturu

Impact of Public Debt on Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Disaggregated Analysis

¹Blessing Nancy Udenta, ²Irene Ukamaka Nwiboko & ³Atuma Emeka

^1&2Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
³Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Empirical Assessment of Unemployment and Economic Growth: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

¹Irene Ukamaka Nwiboko & ²Blessing Nancy Udenta

^1&2Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Price Stability in SSA Countries

¹Wilfred Ositaufere, ²Ekpendu Ezechimere Justice & ³Nwoba Amos Jeremiah

^1&3Department of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
²Clifford University, Owerinta, Abia State

Transformational Leadership and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Deposit Money Banks in Rivers State

¹Linus Adama, ²Nicholas Achelike, ³Akwaeze Emeka Alex, ⁴Chinedu Michael O., ⁵Gladys Onah O., ⁶Ozor Kelechukwu C. & ⁷Effiong Francis

^{1,2,3,4,5,6&7}Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi state Nigeria

The Role of External Finance in Promoting Economic Growth Under Corruption: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

¹Amos, Edidiong Okon, ²Chukwu, Chinyere Grace, & ³Asukwo Victoria Nse

^1&2Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
³Department of Agricultural Economics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Entrepreneurial Economics: A Systematic Review of an Emerging Field of Study in Nigeria

¹Imide, Israel O. & ²Chukwuka, Ernest Jebolise

¹Department of Economics,
²Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State

Digital Financial Inclusion and its Macroeconomic Effects on Consumption in Nigeria

¹Nyeche, Ezebunwo, ²Wokekoro, Ozulem Elvis & ³Ogbodo, Chukwuma Ogbonna

^1&2Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
³Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

The Relationship Between Financial Inclusion and Health Outcomes: Evidence from Nigeria

¹Onwuka Cletus Offor, ²Chibueze Aniebo, & ³Udenta Blessing

^1,2&3Department of Economics and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Impact of Bank Credit and Economic Recession on Manufacturing Sector Output

¹Edeh, Chukwudi Emmanuel, ²Agbafor, Michael Ogbonna & ³Okere, Anselm Ejinwa

¹Department of Economics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu
²Department of Economics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
³Department of Economics, FCT College of Education School of Arts and Social Sciences, Zuba Abuja