Academic Journal of Applied Mathematical Sciences ISSN(e): 2415-2188, ISSN(p): 2415-5225 Vol. 2, No. 6, pp: 51-55, 2016 URL: http://arpgweb.com/?ic=journal&journal=17&info=aims *Corresponding Author 51 Academic Research Publishing Group The Relationship between GDP and Co2 Emission in Nigeria Using the Least Square Polynomials Bright O. Osu * Department of Mathematics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State Chidi U. Okonkwo Department of Mathematics /Statistics Caritas University Amorji-Nike Enugu Rosemary N.Ujumadu Department of Mathematics Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli Campus. Anambra State 1. Introduction Empirical researchers have characterized the relationship between economic development and environmental pollution with the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). Environmental Kuznets Curve states that environmental degradation increases, when countries are in the transition stage of development, but then declines after a threshold level [1, 2]. In the initial stage of development, economies often rely on heavy infrastructure projects, which lead to environmental degradation due to emissions of various pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, sulphur, and nitrogen oxides [3, 4]. Daly [5] argues that increased extraction of natural resources, increased concentration of pollutants and accumulation of waste will therefore results in the environmental degradation and a decline in human welfare, despite rising incomes. Hence, in the initial stage of development, there is some degradation of environment [4]. However, after a threshold level, high sustained economic growth recovers the quality of life and reduces emission of various pollutants. Hence, over the passage of time, the effluence absorption intensity will turn down (see for example Beckerman [6], [7, 8]. Carbon dioxide emissions have grown dramatically in the past century because of human activities, mainly by the use of fossil fuels as well as changes in land use that are directly linked with economic growth and development. The causal relationship between economic development and different indicators of environmental quality has been extensively explored in the recent years by the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) models globally, regionally or country wise by several authors. Nigeria belong to the group of Next Eleven (N-11), which is a group of 11 countries identified by the investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2007 as having high potential of becoming the world’s largest economies in the 21st century [9]. The N-11 consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, South Korea, and Vietnam. These countries would face issues concerning economic growth and CO 2 emission. The N-11 need to determine how they can attain economic growth while conserving energy and reducing emission, [10]. CO 2 emissions are directly related to the use of energy, which is an essential factor in the world economy, both for production and consumption. Therefore, the relationship between CO 2 emissions and economic growth (see figure 1) has important implications for environmental and economic policies, [11]. Our interest in this paper is the relationship between GDP and CO 2 emission in the light of the Environmental Kuznet Curve (EKC). We employed the method of least square polynomials. The results obtained aligned with the EKC hypothesis. Abstract: Nigeria belongs to the group of Next Eleven (N-11), which is a group of 11 countries identified by the investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2007 as having high potential of becoming the world’s largest economies in the 21st century. There is a need to determine how it can attain economic growth while conserving energy and reducing emission. This paper looks at the relationship between GDP and CO 2 emission in the light of the Environmental Kuznet Curve (EKC). The method of least square polynomials was employed. The results obtained aligned with the EKC hypothesis. Keywords: Environmental kuznet curves; Economic growth; CO 2 emission; Least square polynomials.