POST-PANDEMIC CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN EMERGING MARKETS: AN ACCOUNTING AND ESG PERSPECTIVE

With an emphasis on how businesses adjust to new opportunities and challenges, this study examines the future of corporate governance in emerging nations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings show important trends using a mixed methods approach that includes quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 150 accounting and governance professionals from Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. A noteworthy trend toward sustainable company practices is indicated by the 78% of respondents who believe that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures are becoming more and more significant. Overall, the study shows that although emerging markets have particular governance issues, there is a strong commitment to incorporating ESG principles and using technology to increase accountability and transparency. The results provide practical advice for businesses looking to improve their governance structures and support long-term economic expansion in the wake of the pandemic

BOARD CHARACTERISTICS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED INDUSTRIAL GOODS FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The financial performance of Nigeria’s industrial goods firms has declined due to rising interest rates, weak corporate governance, and ineffective board oversight. This study examines the impact of board characteristics, including size, composition, and gender diversity, on the financial performance of listed industrial goods firms in Nigeria. Using an ex-post factor research design, secondary data was collected from annual reports of seven firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group between 2014 and 2023. The sample was selected through simple random sampling, focusing on firms with complete data and active listing status. Multiple regression analysis was used as technique of data analysis and multicollinearity tests confirmed the robustness of the findings. The results of the study revealed that, board size and composition negatively influenced financial performance, suggesting that smaller and more independent boards are more effective. In contrast, board gender diversity did not show a significant relationship with performance, while firm size had a positive effect. The study concludes that strategic board structuring, particularly optimizing size and composition, enhances financial outcomes among listed industrial firms in Nigeria. However, gender diversity, while important for governance, may require further contextual evaluation to determine its impact. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the management of listed industrial firms in Nigeria should prioritize board efficiency and composition to improve governance and profitability, while also considering broader diversity policies. These insights provide valuable guidance for corporate leaders, regulators, and investors seeking to strengthen governance practices in emerging markets

THE COMMODITY PROBLEM: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RESPONSES OF NIGERIA, THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND JAPAN

This paper compares the policy approaches of Nigeria, the United States, the European Union, and Japan to the commodity problem using a mix of theoretical, empirical, and asymmetrical power analysis. The paper established that Nigeria’s only systematic approach to dealing with the commodity problem was through commodity marketing boards, first established in 1947 by the colonial government. The regional self-ruling governments used the marketing boards to finance endogenous economic development plans from 1954 to 1960. However, under pressure from a coalition of self-interested and ideologically biased critics, the Nigerian government dissolved the Nigerian Commodity Marketing Board in 1986. The dissolution did not solve the problems facing Nigerian farmers and the agricultural sector. Rather, the dissolution made the farmers and Nigerian agriculture vulnerable to international middlemen to exploited Nigerian farmers. It also provided a set of multilateral and bilateral lenders with Neo-Berlin agendas to balkanize the public space, expand their influence, loan portfolio, and profits after 1986. In contrast, the US, EU, and Japan strengthened institutional, organizational, and financial support for their farmers, and prioritized domestic protection and interests over concluding the Doha Development Round

IMPACT OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FINTECH) INVESTMENT ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

The rapid integration of financial technology (fintech) into banking operations has transformed the global financial services landscape. Yet, the specific impact of fintech investments on the financial performance of Nigerian banks remains underexplored. This study examines how two categories of fintech investment, operational expenditure (FintechOpex) and capital expenditure (FintechCapex) affect Net Interest Margin (NIM) and Return on Assets (ROA) across twelve Nigerian commercial banks over the period 2014-2023. Using panel data techniques, we estimate Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (POLS), Fixed Effects (FEM), and Random Effects (REM) models, and apply the Breusch Pagan test for heteroskedasticity and the Hausman test for model choice. The Fixed Effects specification emerges as the most reliable. The findings of the study show that FintechOpex has no statistically significant impact on either NIM or ROA, suggesting that short-term fintech spending does not immediately boost bank performance. In contrast, FintechCapex exerts a significant, positive influence on both performance measures, indicating that longer-term fintech investments drive tangible financial gains. The results of the study further revealed that higher liquidity correlates positively with both NIM and ROA. By distinguishing between FintechOpex and FintechCapex, this study refines the theoretical framework for evaluating fintech investments in banking. The results of the study show the importance of prioritizing capitalized fintech projects, restructuring operational budgets, integrating predictive analytics in lending, and leveraging digital tools for liquidity management

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS EMPLOYEES’ PRODUCTIVITY; EVIDENCE FROM CEMENT FIRMS FCT METROPOLIS

The purpose of this research was to examine the contribution of employees’ participation in decision making on employee productivity in cement firms, FCT metropolis. Research was conducted using a survey methodology. The study\u27s sample size was 202 people drawn from certain organisations. Regression analysis was used to assess the strength of association between the independent and dependent variables. SPSS was furthermore used to check the study\u27s assumptions. The results showed a positive relationship between employee productivity and management that encouraged input from all team members. The results suggested that participative management had the potential to increase productivity by helping employees better understand their roles within the organisation. The research concluded that businesses would benefit from more employee participation in decision-making if they did so in order to achieve their goals more rapidly and enhance their revenues

IMPACT OF BOARD ATTRIBUTE ON FIRM VALUE OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

oai:ojs2.ijamer.com.ng:article/1This study examines the impact of board of directors’ characteristics on firm value of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria using the correlational research designed. The population of the study consist of fourteen (14) listed deposit money banks on the Nigerian Exchange Group. However, using the census approach only ten (10) banks were selected and utilized as sample of the study. Secondary source of data was employed for the purpose of this study with STATA as tool of analysis. Statistical tools such as descriptive, correlation and regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected in order to arrive at a logical conclusion. The findings of the study revealed a negative and significant relationship between board independence and firm value.  However, a negative and insignificant relationship was found between board size and board gender diversity on firm value of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that the management of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria should aim to optimize board size to balance the benefits of diverse expertise and effective decision-making, rather than expanding the board size indiscriminately and they should also focus on the quality and specific skills of the board members. This can be achieved through conducting a thorough review of the current board size and assess the effectiveness of communication and decision-making processes

INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE AND FOREIGN DEBT: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA’S NORTH CENTRAL STATES (2010-2023)

The issue of Debt sustainability has brought several debates and reactions by stakeholders in accounting literature. There have been mixed results as to either financing operations of the states by debt or not and this remains inconclusive thereby motivating this paper. Sustaining the high debt profile of North Central states has become worrisome that needs urgent attention. The study therefore investigated the effect of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) on debt sustainability in Nigeria with special focus on the North Central States. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. The population of the study was 6 States in the North central, Nigeria which also constitute the sample of the study. Data covering a period of 14 years (2010-2023) were extracted from audited accounts of the States. The reliability of the data was premised on the Nigerian regulatory and legal framework. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data at 0.05 level of significance. From the post estimation tests the regression results suggested the Fixed effect with Driscoll-Kraay SE. Findings reveal that internally generated revenue measured with PAYE and ORS having a significant effect on size of foreign debt (Adj R2 = 0.719, F (4, 79) = 75.62, p < 0.005). The study concluded that internally generated revenue impacted debt sustainability of North Central States in Nigeria especially on the size of foreign debt. The study recommends that the government of the states in North Central Nigeria should prioritize policies aimed at diversifying revenue streams by investing in sectors that encourage economic growth and generate substantial internally generated revenue (IGR)

AUDIT COMMITTEE ATTRIBUTES AND TIMELINESS OF FINANCIAL REPORTS OF LISTED NON-FINANCIAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA

This study examines the effect of audit committee attributes on the timeliness of financial reports of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to arrive at forty-two firms over thirteen years (from 2010-2022). Truncated negative binomial poisson regression was adopted as it best handles count data. The study found that listed non-financial firms in Nigeria do not comply with the ninety-day requirement of the SEC. Also, audit committee size and audit committee meeting have a negative and significant impact on the timeliness of financial reports at the 5% and 1% level of significance, respectively. The study also found that audit committee independence has an inverse but insignificant relationship with the timeliness of financial reports. The study recommends that all listed non-financial firms in Nigeria comply fully with the stipulations of CAMA with regards to the involvement of independent directors, the size and frequency of meetings of the audit committee

EFFECT OF GENDER ON DEBT FINANCING OF SMALL FIRMS IN PLATEAU STATE

The problem addressed is whether gender shapes access to debt finance for small firms in Plateau State. The objective was to estimate the effect of gender on firm financing. The study used cross sectional primary data collected by questionnaire because secondary data on small firms are scarce. The population comprised small firms in Plateau State, and the sample included 300 owners and managers; instrument validity was checked through a pretest with 15 participants who were not included in the final survey. Data were gathered with a mix of self-administered and researcher administered questionnaires using a delivery wait and collect approach. Analysis employed a dummy variable regression in R to relate loan amount to gender. The main finding is that gender has no statistically significant effect on the debt financing of small firms in this sample. The study concludes that observed financing outcomes do not differ by gender, while noting limits from convenience and judgment sampling and the absence of a full sampling frame. It is recommended that the Plateau State Ministry of Commerce and Industry establish a small firm loan guarantee with movable collateral and publish a regular dashboard of applications, approvals, amounts, and time to decision by gender

AUDIT QUALITY AS A MODERATOR OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RISKS AND MARKET VALUE: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA’S QUOTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS

The study objective is to examine the moderating effect of audit quality (AQ) and corporate governance risks management on market value of quoted deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria for period of 2018 to 2023 of the Nigeria code of corporate governance implementation. The study used a sample of the Twelve (12) quoted banks out of the population of Fourteen (14) using purposive sampling technique. Longitudinal research design was adopted and secondary data were analyzed through Panel regression model. The study results with R-square of 89% revealed positive significant effect of board size, Board independence, Agency accounting mitigating factor and (AQ) on market value measured in the modified Tobin-Q of DMBs but the variables were also significant when they were moderated with (AQ); but management report lag was positively insignificant. The study concluded that audit quality has strong moderating effect on risks management and market value and accounting monetary benefits alignment is the major factor that reduces conflicts of interest (risks) to maximize shareholders wealth. Also, a proportionate increase in board size to the assets of banks and increase in number of non-executive directors reduce corporate governance risks thereby increase market value of quoted DMBs. It is recommended that government through the CBN and FRCN mechanism should make policies to promote audit firm’s merger, specialization and reserve certain sensitive industry to certain size of audit firms to audit. Also, the minimum number of non-executive directors in DMBs board should be pecked at 75% proportion and benefits alignment ratio between management team and shareholders should be pecked at range of 60% to 40% respectively