Aiyedogbon, John Olu-Coris2023-12-112023-12-112013-03-09Adcfila, J.J. and Adcoti, J.O. (2004 ) “Improving Agricultural Budget to enhance Rural Development in Nigeria”, www.googlc.com.ng Aiyedogbon, J. O. and Ohwofasa, B. O. (2012). “Poverty and Youth Unemployment in Nigeria, 1987- 2011”International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 3 No. 20 (Special Issue), October, www.iih.ssnet.com CBN (2011). Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin CIA (2009). The World FactBook. Washington, DC. Fasanya, I.O. and Onakoya, A.B.O. (2012); Informal Sector and Employment Generation in Nigeria: An Error Correction Model. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. 2, No.7, pp. 48-55. www.iiste.org FGN (2011). “Agricultural transformation Agenda: We Will Grow Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector” Draft Blueprint of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Abuja, Nigeria. Garba, A. (2006). Alleviating Poverty in Northern Nigeria. A paper presented at the Annual Convention of Zumunta Association, Minneapolis, MN, USA. July 28-29. Gollin, D., Parente, S.L. and Rogerson, R. (2002). “The Role of Agriculture in Development” American Economic Review 92(2): 160-164 Izuchukwu, O. (2011). Analysis of the Contribution of Agricultural Sector on the Nigerian Economic Development. World Review of Business Research Vol. 1(1), Pp. 191 - 200, NBS (2012). The Nigeria Poverty Profile 2010 Report of the National Bureau of Statistics. Harmonized Nigeria Living Standard Survey (HNLSS). Ogbalubi, L.N. and Wokocha,C.C. (2013). “Agricultural Development and Emplyoment Generation: The Nigeria Experience”. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS), Volume 2, Issue 2 (Jan. - Feb.), PP 60-69. www.iosriournals.ore Okunmadewa, F. and Olayemi, J.K. (1999). “Nigeria Globalization, Policy Changes Agricultural Research and Development” Commissioned Technical Report Prepared for 1SNAR, the Hague Terzo Geri (2010). What is Agricultural Development http://www.wisgeek.com Rostow, W.W. (1960); The Stage of Economic Growth: A No- Communist Cambridge University Press March manifesto. Londonhttps://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/2272The paper investigates agricultural productivity and employment generation in Nigeria for the period 1986-2011. It has been argued that agricultural sector has the capacity to sustain the Nigerian economy. The econometric model was based on Cochrane Orcult iterative method. The variables employed include unemployment rate, government expenditure in agriculture, government expenditure in education as a proxy for human capital development, index of agricultural production and foreign direct investment in agriculture. Results show that government expenditure in agriculture, index of agricultural production and foreign direct investment in agriculture have positive impact on current unemployment with only foreign direct investment in agriculture statistically insignificant. On the other hand, impact of government expenditure in educational sector on unemployment is negative, though statistically insignificant. The results also show that the independent variables explained about 85 percent of unemployment (i.e. 15 percent of employment) in Nigeria between 1986 and 2011. The paper recommended that relevant agricultural policy should be formulated by the policy makers while adequate funds made available.enAgricultural Productivity, Employment Generation, Government Policy and Cochrane OrcuttArticle