ABSTRACT



Financial inclusion is increasingly recognized as a fundamental catalyst for achieving sustained economic growth. This study investigates the directional relationship between financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria using the Pairwise Granger Causality test over the period 1990 - 2023. The analysis employed annual time-series data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria and World Development Indicators. Financial inclusion indicators include access to banking services, number of bank branches, credit to the private sector and liquid liabilities to GDP, while per capita GDP growth proxies’ sustainable economic growth. Descriptive and correlation analyses reveal significant variation and interactions among variables. The Granger causality results show that financial inclusion indicators such as bank branches, access to banking services, and liquidity measures significantly predict sustainable growth, whereas economic growth does not Granger-cause financial inclusion. These findings suggest that improving financial inclusion is a critical driver of long-term economic performance in Nigeria. The study recommends targeted policies that enhance access to financial services as a strategy to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.