ABSTRACT The study investigates the impact of government expenditure on economic growth of Nigeria from the period 1980-2011. The objective was set to address the problem of utilization of revenue targeted to improving the economic condition of Nigeria. The review of theoretical and empirical literature provided a basis for the selection and specification of model which was used to show if government capital and recurrent expenditure has positive or negative impact on economic growth. The data were got from CBN statistical bulletin. To proper solution to the problem, policies were recommended to tackle the setbacks to economic growth.

CHAPTER ONE 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY In all most all economics today government intervention in undertaking fundamental roles of allocation, stabilization, distribution and regulation, especially where or when market proves inefficient or its outcome is socially unacceptable. Government also intervenes, particularly in developing economics to achieve macroeconomics objective such as economic growth and development, full employment, price stability and poverty reduction.(AESS PUBLICATION 2011). Public finance is to provide information to all arms of government in other to provide use full data as done for the develop nations that transferred public finance technology to developing nation. Public finance is used for allocation, stabilization and distribution (Musgrave and Musgrave 1989). Public finance is the study of the principle underlying the spending and raising of funds by public authorities (shirras, 1969). It is the field of economics that studies government activities and alternative means of financing expenditure (hymann 1993)) It is a fact that no society though out history has ever attained a high level of economic affluence without a government. Where government do not exist anarchy reigned and little wealth was accumulated by productive economy activity. After government took hold the rule of law and the establishment of private property right often contributed and it has similarly impacted on their societies as well.