Offshore Banking and the Financial Performance: A Study of Selected Nigerian Banks with Offshore Branches

Some Nigerian banks have found it worthwhile to extend their branch expansions to some offshore locations. However, this move also made the Central Bank of Nigeria to issue a circular in 2008 to all Banks to ensure the viability of the offshore branches while protecting the shareholders’ funds and interests. The study employed ex post facto research design, descriptive and empirical analysis methods. Analyses were based on published data on relevant performance index of the banks and operating indices of their offshore branches. Three banks were selected for the study from the seven banks that operated offshore branches. Data were extracted from the annual reports for 2009-2012 period. Empirical analysis was anchored on regression model. Profit before tax was treated as the performance index and, thus, entered the model as the explained variable while operating income, deposits, loans and advances, other assets and profit before tax of the offshore branches entered as the explanatory variables. The intercept of the model and the coefficients of the operating indices were estimated via the Least Squares (LS) techniques. The results revealed that banks recorded varying values in offshore operating indicators. Ghana proved to be a more lucrative location for banking business. Operating incomes and deposits did not significantly affect the profit before tax of the banks as evidenced by the p-values of the t-statistic of their coefficients (p-value = 0.1309 > 0.05 and p-value = 0.3311 > 0.05) respectively, and that loans and advances exerted negative but insignificant effect as shown by the p-value of 0.8594 which was less that the relevant level of 0.05. The aggregate effect of the operating indices was found to be significant. The operating indicators exhibited high strength (99%) in explaining variations in performance of the parent banks as evidenced by the very high R-Squared 0.99. Consequently, the study concluded that offshore banking possesses great potentials to determine and explain banks’ performance. Recommendations, amongst others, were that Nigerian Banks currently operating offshore branches should deepen their banking business for optimal performance. The Central Bank of Nigeria should enhance its supervisory capacity with additional monitoring strategies. Key Words: Offshore Branches, Operating Indices, Performance Index, Financial Performanc

Managing Credit Risk to Optimize Banks’ Profitability: A Survey of Selected Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study examines the impact of managing credit risk and profitability of banks in Lagos state. It also focused on the need for prompt, effective and efficient service to numerous customers. The research hypothesis was tested and analyzed in relation to adequate credit risk management and its significant effect on banks’ profitability. It was also the aim of this research to evaluate how effective it is for a bank to manage its credit risk effectively to enhance profitability. In the course of this work, data was gotten through administering structured questionnaires which were answered by respondents. Correlation coefficient was used to decide whether or not credit risk management has an impact on profitability. It was then revealed through the analysis of data from the questionnaire that credit risk management operations plays a significant role in the profitability and performance of banks in Lagos State. Therefore, management need to be cautious in setting up a credit policy that might not negatively affects profitability and also they need to know how credit policy affects the operation of their banks to ensure judicious utilization of deposits. Keywords: Credit Risk, Managing, Banks Profitability, Performance, Utilization of Deposit

Difference in grading parameters in architectural schools and its impact on the competency rating of future professionals

ArchitecturaleducationinNigeriaisdividedintoatwo-tiertrainingsystemoffourandtwoyearsfor undergraduateandpostgraduatestudy,respectively.Afterthecompletionofpostgraduatestudy,a studentisdeemedcompetenttotaketheprofessionalpracticeexamination.Successinthis examinationqualifies astudenttoberegisteredasanarchitect.Thecompetencyratingoffuture professionalsinarchitecturalschoolsinNigeriaisdeterminedthroughajurysystemofscoringbased on predeterminedgradingparameters.However,thegradingparametersadoptedbyassessing authorities(academicprofessorsandpractitioners representingtheprofessionalbody)differ.The difference inthegradingparametersemployedbythe twoapprovedassessingauthoritiesinNigeria was investigatedinthisstudy.CovenantUniversityinNigeriawasusedasacasestudy.Thegrading parameters andscoresforthe2013academicsession werecomparedtodeterminesimilaritiesand differences,whichmighthaveaffectedthecompetencyratingofstudents.Descriptivestatisticswas employed toanalyzethedataobtained.Resultsshowedasignificant differenceinscoringbythetwo authorities.Thisdifferencehadasignificantconsequenceonthecompetencyratingofstudent

Predicting Revolutionary Pedagogic Practices from Architectural Design Studio Culture Habitus of the Selected Nigerian Universities

Encapsulated within the envelope of the architectural studio are the design studio culture activities and attitudinal patterns exhibited in the nuclei of the learning environment of architecture schools. The connecting thread between architectural revolutionary pedagogic practices and studio Culture is still tied in most architecture schools. Evidently, up till now, little or no empirical documentation has been done in line with predictors of revolutionary pedagogical practices in schools. This study investigated the design studio culture as a predictor of revolutionary pedagogic practices to demystify the myths and complexities enshrined around the studio habitus. The methodology engaged a survey design strategy; the primary data were collected using observations, oral-focussed group interviews, and questionnaires. At the same time, the secondary data was collected from the archives, government reports, records and literature. Also, the design studios, students and teachers were used as the sampling frame. The unit of analysis was from 300,400 or 500; and M. Sc1 and M.Sc2 Classes; inclusive of design studios Teachers, Mentors and Instructors. A purposive sampling technique was adopted at multi-stage stratified levels. SPSS was used as analytic apparatus to analyse Responses from the Teachers and Students, while content analysis was used to evaluate the interviews and observations. The findings showed that the most significant predictor of Revolutionary Pedagogic Practices was studio Culture Spectrum in three (3) hierarchical orders: (i) the Demystification of studio culture, (ii) Motivational Factors and (iii) Studio Culture ethics and Code of conduct. This study established that the different Revolutionary Pedagogic studio practices employed in the four selected schools operated in different Orders of Studio Culture. We recommend that the stakeholders review the studio programmes and demystify the studio culture. This is to motivate the students with the repackaging of ethical code of conduct and guidelines and integrate a Culture-Oriented Revolutionary curriculum needed for competency rating and high-stake achievements certification in the life-long professional work ethics in Nigeria and other Nations of the World

Investors’ Behavioral Biases and the Nigerian Stock Market Returns (2002 – 2012)

The paper was intended to find other reasons, based on investors’ behavior that may impact on the performance of the Nigerian stock market. The objectives were in three-fold: to examine the extent of behavioral biases among stock market investors in Nigeria; to determine the level of returns in the period using the Nigerian Stock Exchange All share index; and to examine the effects of behavioral biases on stock market return in Nigeria. This study was motivated by the fundamental explanations given for the causes of the 2008 collapse of the Nigerian Stock Market. This paper adopted a primary data approach based on survey research design to investigate the effects of behavioral biases on stock market return in Nigeria. The paper also used secondary data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange and employed questionnaire as instrument and the technique of correlation with Pearson Product Moment Coefficient to analyze a survey of 110 randomly selected investors in Nigeria stock market. The study found strong evidence that behavioral biases existed but not very dominant in the Nigeria stock market because a weak negative relationship existed between behavioral biases and stock market returns in Nigeria. The paper concluded that being aware of behavioral biases in the Nigerian stock market was a crucial first step in ensuring that investment decisions were properly controlled to avoid any negative impacts on the individual investors and on the stock market; again, behavioral biases might be of relevant consideration in portfolio construction in order to moderate these biases. Key words: Behavioral, Biases, Investors, Portfolios, Stock Market, Return, All Share Index

Predicting Revolutionary Pedagogic Practices from Architectural Design Studio Culture Habitus of the Selected Nigerian Universities

Encapsulated within the envelope of the architectural studio are the design studio culture activities and attitudinal patterns exhibited in the nuclei of the learning environment of architecture schools. The connecting thread between architectural revolutionary pedagogic practices and studio Culture is still tied in most architecture schools. Evidently, up till now, little or no empirical documentation has been done in line with predictors of revolutionary pedagogical practices in schools. This study investigated the design studio culture as a predictor of revolutionary pedagogic practices to demystify the myths and complexities enshrined around the studio habitus. The methodology engaged a survey design strategy; the primary data were collected using observations, oral-focussed group interviews, and questionnaires. At the same time, the secondary data was collected from the archives, government reports, records and literature. Also, the design studios, students and teachers were used as the sampling frame. The unit of analysis was from 300,400 or 500; and M. Sc1 and M.Sc2 Classes; inclusive of design studios Teachers, Mentors and Instructors. A purposive sampling technique was adopted at multi-stage stratified levels. SPSS was used as analytic apparatus to analyse Responses from the Teachers and Students, while content analysis was used to evaluate the interviews and observations. The findings showed that the most significant predictor of Revolutionary Pedagogic Practices was studio Culture Spectrum in three (3) hierarchical orders: (i) the Demystification of studio culture, (ii) Motivational Factors and (iii) Studio Culture ethics and Code of conduct. This study established that the different Revolutionary Pedagogic studio practices employed in the four selected schools operated in different Orders of Studio Culture. We recommend that the stakeholders review the studio programmes and demystify the studio culture. This is to motivate the students with the repackaging of ethical code of conduct and guidelines and integrate a Culture-Oriented Revolutionary curriculum needed for competency rating and high-stake achievements certification in the life-long professional work ethics in Nigeria and other Nations of the World

Deserted studio and culture in architecture schools: Issues of policy and implementation strategies

Architectural design studio engages students, teachers and other stakeholders in countless activities that results in the term ‘studio culture’. Traditionally, the culture comprised of experiences, habits and patterns within the studio space. These unique learning environments have been observed to be deserted by students due to some factors that were either neglected or not properly positioned in the context of the schools’ ‘modus operandi’. This paper examined the attitudes of students towards design studio in schools of architecture. An in-depth investigation of studio culture, policy, implementation strategies and students’ attitudes was carried out in lieu of deserted studio. It was tailored after the studio culture policies of four (4) selected schools in south-west Nigeria. Findings revealed that culture demystification, motivational factors and institutional policies are some of the factors responsible for deserted studio. The study showed commonalities and varied conceptual indices of the terms "studio culture" in each case. The study recommended specificity of sustainable studio culture policy, operation and implementation strategies for architecture schools in Nigeria as a way of curbing the menace of deserted studios

Effect of Number of Stylosanthes Hamata Rows on Herbage Yield, Nutritive Quality and Performance of Wad Sheep Fed Native Panicum Maximum

The effect of number of Stylosanthes hamata rows on herbage yield and nutritive quality of native Panicum maximum was assessed at Teaching and Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo State in the derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria.  The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with each plot replicated thrice. Stylosanthes hamata seeds were interplanted with native Panicum at 8weeks cut back    of establishment using different inter-sown spacing of 25cm, 16.7cm and 12.5cm with 1row, 2rows and 3rows of legume respectively. Parameters investigated at 12weeks old on native Panicum were biomass yield, tillers number and height, leaf length and width, chemical and mineral compositions. The grass herbage harvested from experimental plot were fed as sole diets to West African dwarf ram to determine feed intake (g/d/kg 0.75), nutrient digestibility (g/kg) and weight gain (g/h/d). Results showed that herbage yield, chemical and mineral composition of Panicum at 12weeks old improved. Biomass yield (383000kg/ha), number of tillers (33.00), tiller height (140.14cm), leaf length (51.37cm) and leaf width (2.38cm) were significantly higher for native Panicum inter planted with 2 and 3rows of Stylosanthes hamata.  Crude protein (9.85%) and gross energy (3.13kca/kg) content of Panicum inter planted with 2 and 3rows of legume spacing were (P<0.05) higher than 1 row. P (0.20%), K (0.36 %), Ca (0.32%), Mg (0.25 mg/100g), Fe ( 270.30 mg/100g), Zn (10.00 mg/100g),  and Cu ( 2.00 mg/kg ), of Panicum inter planted at 2 and 3rows of Stylosanthes hamata spacing were (P<0.05) better than other. The feed intake (43.70 g/d/kg 0.75), nutrient digestibility (79.67 g/kg) and weight gain (53.6 g/h/d) of animals fed Panicum interplanted with 3rows of Stylosanthes hamata was significantly (P<0.05) highest compared to its counterpart. This study revealed that intercropping of Stylosanthes hamata with native Panicum at 2 and 3 inter rows spacing promoted higher herbage yield and nutritive value for the Panicum maximum. Animals fed with this as sole diet experienced higher weight gain. Keywords: Stylosanthes hamata, Panicum maximum, number of row, feed intakes, herbage yield, Nutritive value, Wad Shee