Poverty and Environment Degradation on Life Expectancy in Nigeria

The correlation between poverty and environment degradation on life expectancy in Nigeria was investigated. This was done to gauge the effect of increasing poverty and environmental pollution and predict future trends in life expectancy. The research adopted the ex-post facto (After-the-fact) research method and relied on secondary data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bureau of Statistics and World Bank Data Bank and other sources. Econometrics analyses were performed using different models after inquest into the stationarity conditions of the series through a Unit Root Test using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tool. This was aided by the E-View® version 10.0 Statistics Software. Result of the investigation reveals the following: (a) There is no significant relationship between CO2 and NO2 and life expectancy in Nigeria. (b) There is a significant relationship between oil spills and life expectancy in Nigeria. (c) There is no significant relationship between poverty and life expectancy in Nigeria. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that oil spill is the single most important determinant of life expectancy in Nigeria contrary to theoretical expectations. Therefore, poverty alleviation, air quality control and the prevention of oil spills and the remediation of the environment are of utmost importance as negligence of these portends grave danger to life expectancy in Nigeria.