The determinants of good corporate governance: The case of Nigeria

This thesis investigates the key (institutional, regulatory, external and specific) determinants of good corporate governance in Nigeria. The study adopted a mix of the following qualitative research methods: in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations and case studies, to conduct a survey of corporate governance specialists in Nigeria, with sufficient capacity mix and diverse disciplinary and functional backgrounds. The study provides in-depth discussions with regards to the definitive motive of corporate governance and further demonstrates that developing countries face peculiar corporate governance challenges. The author shows how this peculiarity is contingent on certain national and firm-specific institutional environments. Furthermore, whilst there have been recent advocacy at implementing good corporate governance in Nigeria, as a means to re-shape the perceived negative institutional configurations, the author presents a case of institutional maintenance, where changes at the industry level are unable to change the self-reinforcing institutional landscape. As a result, whilst encouraging a deeper and less normative discourse, the author exposes possible challenges in transferring and enacting uniform corporate governance practices across different institutional contexts. Upon this institutionalist background, the thesis further looks exhaustively into the subject of corporate governance regulation in Nigeria (including the role of government), and shows that countries will have to position their regulatory systems to tackle the particular challenges they face. Furthermore, given that the African business infrastructure cannot be separated from past and present external influences, the author provides a cross-examination of the impact and influences of external governance mechanisms and forces on Nigeria. Discussions here have specific relevance for the literature on corporate governance in the USA, the UK, Japan, China and India. Also, the author examines the impact of the varying dimensions of global (as posed, but Anglo-Saxon in principle and character) institutional initiatives, with regards to cross national corporate governance monitoring and development, on Nigeria. Lastly, guided by the ultimate need to promote good corporate governance in developing countries, the author identifies nine specific drivers of good corporate governance in developing countries, whilst taking into account the afore-mentioned determinants. It is anticipated that this thesis augments the budding literature on corporate governance in developing countries, with secondary contributions to the broad literature on comparative corporate governance studies and comparative institutionalism, and presenting implications, not only to the academy but, to the business sector and the polity of developing market economies

Investment in Fixed Assets and Firm Profitability: Empirical Evidence from the Nigerian Banking Sector

The study examined the effect of investment in fixed assets on profitability of selected Nigerian banks. It also analyzed the significant components of fixed assets investment of selected Nigerian Commercial Banks. Data were obtained from annual reports and accounts of selected Nigerian commercial Banks. Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regressions were employed to analyze the relationship between the dependent variable (Net profit) and independent variables (Building, Land, Leasehold premises, fixtures and fitting, and investment in computers.). Findings show that there is a significant relationship between dependent variable (Net Profit) and the independent variables (Building, information communication and technology, machinery, leasehold, land and fixture and fitting) with the adjusted R2 @ 96%. Therefore, investments in fixed assets have strong and positive statistical impact on the profitability of banking sector in Nigeria. In order to improve bank profitability through efficient management of fixed assets, Nigerian banks should increase fixed assets investments in form of ICT. Fixed assets utilization and productivity needs to be monitored to boost profitability for shareholders’ satisfaction

Corporate social responsibility as obligated internalisation of social costs

We propose that corporations should be subject to a legal obligation to identify and internalise their social costs or negative externalities. Our proposal reframes corporate social responsibility (CSR) as obligated internalisation of social costs, and relies on reflexive governance through mandated hybrid fora. We argue that our approach advances theory, as well as practice and policy, by building on and going beyond prior attempts to address social costs, such as prescriptive government regulation, Coasian bargaining and political CSR

USPOREDBA PROCJENE EKONOMSKE KORISTI ZEMLJANIH BAZENA RIBNJAKA I BETONSKIH SPREMNIKA U AKVAKULTURNOM PODUZETNIŠTVU DRŽAVE OYO U NIGERIJI

The study focused on the comparative evaluation of economic benefits of earthen fish ponds and concrete tanks in aquaculture enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo state. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedule, administered through personal interviews and observations to elicit information from 100 fish farmers using purposive and convenience sampling procedure. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive, budgetary and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the mean age, male, married, household size, educated and fish farming experience were 41 years, 83.0%, 87.0%, 5 persons, 96.0% and 8 years, respectively. Earthen fish ponds users earned mean revenue of N3,322,189.85 with gross margin of N2,188,397.89 while concrete tank users earned N2,412,271.08 with gross margin of N1,413,299.46. The results showed profitability indices (0.61 and 0.47), Variable Cost ratio (0.35 and 0.30), Benefit Cost Ratio (2.55 and 1.89), Gross ratio (0.40 and 0.54) and Expenses structure ratio (0.13 and 0.23) for both the earthen ponds and concrete fish tanks, respectively. There were significant differences (t = 42.53, p≤0.05) between the profit level of earthen fish ponds and concrete tanks. Major constraints affecting economic status of the respondents were high cost of quality feed, insufficient funds, poaching and poor marketing channel. In conclusion, aquaculture is a more profitable and viable business regardless of the culture system. Government should assist the fish farmers by subsidizing feeds cost, granting and monitoring of loan.Temelj ovog istraživanja bila je usporedba procjene ekonomske koristi zemljanih bazena ribnjaka i betonskih spremnika u akvakulturnim poduzećima grada Ibadana u državi Oyo. U izboru 100 uzgajivača ribe korištena je kombinacija svrsishodnog i praktičnog uzorkovanja, a uzgajivači su bili podvrgnuti strukturiranom intervjuu radi prikupljanja primarnih podataka u svrhu deskriptivne statistike, proračunske tehnike i inferencijalne statistike. Istraživanje je rezultiralo sljedećim podacima: prosječna životna dob bila je 41 godina, muškaraca je bilo 83,0%, oženjenih 87,0%, u većini slučajeva bilo je 5 članova kućanstva, obrazovanih je bilo 96,0%, a iskustvo uzgoja riba kod ispitanika bilo je 8 godina. Korisnici zemljanih bazena ribnjaka imali su srednji prihod od N3,322,189.85 s bruto maržom od N2,188,397.89, dok su korisnici betonskih spremnika zaradili N2,412,271.08 s bruto maržom od N1,413,299.46. Indeks profitabilnosti bio je 0,61 i 0,47, varijabilni omjer troškova 0,35 i 0,30, omjer troškova i koristi 2,55 i 1,89, bruto omjer 0,40 i 0,54, a omjer strukture troškova bio je 0,13 i 0,23. Značajna je razlika između razine profita od zemljanih ribnjaka i betonskih spremnika (t = 42,53, p ≤ 0,05). Glavne prepreke koje utječu na ekonomski status ispitanika bili su visoki troškovi kvalitetne prehrane, neadekvatnost fondova, krivolov i loš marketing. Zaključno, akvakultura je isplativo i održivo područje poduzetništva, bez obzira na kulturni sustav. Vlada bi trebala pomoći uzgajivačima ribe subvencioniranjem troškova prehrane, odobravanjem i praćenjem kredita

Feasibility of Private Integrated Agricultural Extension Services in Ogun State, Nigeria

Agricultural extension service in Nigeria has remained a responsibility of government in the past four decades. However, the persistent poor funding of the extension service has reduced the effectiveness of extension services to farmers. This informedfarmers desireforprivate organizations and religious bodies to assist inproviding services to them, even though this impliesfinancial contributionfrom thefarmers. However, the ability and willingness offarmers to befinancially responsiblefor extension services provided is in doubt. This provided the basisfor the study, which aimed at determining thefeasibility ofprivate integrated agricultural extensfoq services in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were obtainedfrom 240 small-scale farmers, 61 extension workers/specialists, 10 subject matter specialists and 6 agro-allied industries through the use ofstructured interview schedule and questionnaire. Results ofthe study showed that majority (75.8%) of the farmers were willing to pay for andpatronize private integrated agricultural extension services (PIAES). Farmers (80%) in Ogun State have access to Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme extension service, but still do not have the desired impactfrom the service. Extension specialists/workers and subject matter specialists (93.4%) are willing to establish PIAES in Ogun State. Farmers' access to OGADEP extension service has no significant relationship with their willingness to pay for and patronize PIAES (r=.003, a>.05). Farmers’ access to input service has significant relationship with their willingness to pay for andpatronize PIAES (r=.421, a<.05). Private integrated agricultural extension service is feasible in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that provision ofinput services should be added to the present extension service provided by OGADEP and experienced extension specialists, workers and subject matter specialists shouldbe encouragedby government and farmers' groups to establish PIAES

Feasibility of Private Integrated Agricultural Extension Services in Ogun State, Nigeria

Agricultural extension service in Nigeria has remained a responsibility of government in the past four decades. However, the persistent poor funding of the extension service has reduced the effectiveness of extension services to farmers. This informedfarmers desireforprivate organizations and religious bodies to assist inproviding services to them, even though this impliesfinancial contributionfrom thefarmers. However, the ability and willingness offarmers to befinancially responsiblefor extension services provided is in doubt. This provided the basisfor the study, which aimed at determining thefeasibility ofprivate integrated agricultural extensfoq services in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were obtainedfrom 240 small-scale farmers, 61 extension workers/specialists, 10 subject matter specialists and 6 agro-allied industries through the use ofstructured interview schedule and questionnaire. Results ofthe study showed that majority (75.8%) of the farmers were willing to pay for andpatronize private integrated agricultural extension services (PIAES). Farmers (80%) in Ogun State have access to Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme extension service, but still do not have the desired impactfrom the service. Extension specialists/workers and subject matter specialists (93.4%) are willing to establish PIAES in Ogun State. Farmers' access to OGADEP extension service has no significant relationship with their willingness to pay for and patronize PIAES (r=.003, a>.05). Farmers’ access to input service has significant relationship with their willingness to pay for andpatronize PIAES (r=.421, a<.05). Private integrated agricultural extension service is feasible in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that provision ofinput services should be added to the present extension service provided by OGADEP and experienced extension specialists, workers and subject matter specialists shouldbe encouragedby government and farmers' groups to establish PIAES

Anthropometric studies for designing to fit gari-frying workers

 Work system and product design require anthropometric data of the user population relevant to the facility in order to have safe operation in service as well as increase user satisfaction and efficiency. Designing to fit gari-frying workers in each of the southwestern states in Nigeria is geared towards this end. The age, weight and twenty-five body dimensions of 120 gari-frying workers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, selected by random sampling, were measured. The body dimensions include stature, shoulder height, sitting height, eye height, forward grip reach, buttock-popliteal height, buttock-knee length, knee height, thigh clearance, forearm-to-forearm breadth, waist depth, elbow rest height, knuckle height, elbow grip length, hip breadth, hand length, hand breadth, hand thickness, grip span and lumbar height. SPSS 20 software was used to perform statistical analysis to determine the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, 2nd, 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles for each state. Ogun state was used as a control, against which means of body dimension data, collected from other states, were compared using paired sample t-test. The results revealed that some of the body dimensions showed significant difference across the states at P≤0.05 with Oyo having more anthropometric parameters that differ from that of Ogun and Ondo having the least. Between 11.42% and 24.25% difference in the mean age, weight and lumbar height was observed in all the states. Osun state has the highest mean BMI and BSA values of 32.38 kg/m2 and 1.82 m2, respectively. These results are the required data for the design of facility and products for gari-frying workers as well as in similar women workspaces, especially in processing centres

EFFECTS OF SUBSTITUTION OF FAT WITH MELON SEED MEAL ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK SAUSAGES

A study was conducted in which melon seed meal (MSM) replaced fat at 0, 33, 66, and 100% levels in four batches of pork sausages. The chemical and storage properties, cooking weight losses, and sensory properties, of the sausages were determined in the meat processing laboratory. The results showed that MSM increased both ash and crude protein contents. The highest ether extract (36%) was obtained for batch 1 (control) while the lowest value (25.50%) was recorded for batch 4. The values obtained for refrigeration weight losses increased with increase in MSM while the results for dry matter were statistically insignificant. Batch 3 had the highest cooking weight loss of 0.83% whilebatch one had the lowest value of 0.30%. The values obtained for sensory properties increased with increase in the level of MSM up to 66%. It was concluded that pork back fat can be replaced with MSM in pork sausage without adverse effect on processing yield

Dynamics of Digital Finance and Financial Inclusion Nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa

With the revolution in the financial technology space occasioned by competition among financial market intermediaries, there is no doubt that more unbanked and under-banked citizens will be captured into the financial net of the economy. This study examined the dynamic relationship between digital finance and financial inclusion in 27 sub-Saharan African countries. Granger Error Correction Method (ECM) with General Methods of Moments (GMM) of Arellanon and Bond (1991) were used to analyze the short panel data. The study found that a positive long-run relationship exists between digital finance and financial inclusion. It therefore recommends amongst others that monetary authorities of emerging and developing economies in sub-Sahara African countries should embrace digital financial technologies by encouraging commercial banks to install more ATMs and discourage acceptance of cash payment and withdrawals within established thresholds across bank counters in their respective countrie