Seoul Journal of Economics ISSN 12250279 Institute of Korean Studies, Vol 34 (1) DOES INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AFFECTS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICAN COUNTRIES? BY Stephen Akpo Ejuvbekpokpo 1, Melvin U. Eko-Raphaels 2 Department of Economics, Delta State University Abraka Nigeria. steveuum@gmail.com;ejirosteve2@yahoo.com; +2347065888235 Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko Delta State, Nigeria. Melvin60@gmail,com Abstract Despite the abundant research on institutional quality and development, little has been done to examine the impact of institutional quality on human development especially in Sub- Sahara African Countries (SSA).The problem facing SSA can be ascertained in the area of weak institutions which metamorphose to poor level of human development, in terms of poor standard of living, low level of educational attainment and low level of life expectancy which sum up to high level of poverty in the region.The objective of thisstudy was to evaluate the relationship between institutional quality and human development in SSA countries from 2005 to 2013. The research used secondary data sourced from World Bank governance indicators, Transparency International and Heritage Foundation. The method of analysis employed was panel data using the panel corrected standard error (PCSE) and generalized method of moments (GMM).The analysis produced diverse results. The findings are compatible with theory. Both thepanel data analysis and the generalized method of moments of institutional quality and human development model indicated that most of the countries investigated exhibits mixed performance in terms of the institutional quality such as rule of law, corruption, bureaucratic quality and property rights. The study recommends policies to reduce corruption in all levels of economic activities. In addition, rule of law need to be strengthened and the educational sector should be fine-toned to train manpower in all aspect of human in the region. Keywords: Institutional Quality, Human Development, Corruption, Rule of law, Property rights, Panel data, GMM, SSA countries. JEL Classification: O15, O43, O55 Introduction The interest on institutions in economic community has been particularly influenced by the work of Douglass North, a Nobel Laureate in economics. According to North (1990), institutions are manmade rules that are imposed to guide and evaluate the attitude and behavior of people and