Effect of Cyber Security on Business Sustainability of Listed Microfinance Banks in Nigeria

In Nigeria, microfinance banks (MFB) face the burden of investing in cyber security to protect their databases, prevent monetary losses, maintain customer trust, and remain afloat in a competitive business environment. However, there are incessant cyber risks and attacks by criminals who gain undue access to the cyber-space of MFB and cause financial and non-financial loss. The objective of this quantitative study was to examine the effect of cyber security on the business sustainability of three listed, and most valued MFBs in Nigeria. The population of the study was 315 senior, medium and junior employees of three MFBs in Nigeria. As the target population was manageable, the research adopted a census. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the formulated hypothesis was analysed using multiple regression. The study found that cyber security has a significant and positive impact on the sustainability of MFB in Nigeria. Data availability account for the largest contribution to the sustainability of MFBs, followed by data confidentiality and data integrity. Employees in a MFB uphold that data availability, confidentiality, and integrity are pivotal elements of cyber security that influence the sustainability of their organisations in Nigeria. Given these results from the viewpoint of employees, MFBs are implored to regularly review and strengthen their risk management strategy and adopt a more integrative approach of human-centric cybersecurity, which brings technology and human elements together to address current and future cyber risks and build and sustain consumer trust in digital financial transactions. The implication of the study and areas for future research are highlighted

Microfinance services and the growth of women entrepreneurial businesses in North Central Nigeria

Purpose: This study examined the effect of microfinance services on the growth of Women's entrepreneurial businesses in North-central Nigeria. Research methodology: A survey research design with a population of 7061 women entrepreneurs in North-central, Nigeria and a sample size of 379 was used in the study. The effect between the variables was determined through correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results: The findings revealed that microfinance lending; saving and training services have positive and weighty effects on the growth of women entrepreneurial businesses in Nigeria’s North-central while microfinance management consultancy services recorded an inverse and insignificant impact on the women entrepreneurial businesses' growth in the zone. Limitations: This study is limited to only entrepreneurial women in Nigeria’s North-central with lending services, training services, saving services, and consultancy services as proxies for MFIs services; there are other services provided by MFIs like insurance that are not covered by this study. Contribution: This study incorporated management consultancy services as one of the variables which have hitherto been neglected or ignored in the models that are to explain the microfinance services in Nigeria

Managerial Competencies and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria

Purpose: This study aimed at investigating the effect of managerial competencies on the growth of SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria. Research methodology: The study adopted Raosoft to determine a sample size of 395. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, while regression was used for data analysis. Results: It was found that both technical and personal competencies have a positive and strong effect on the growth of SMEs, while conceptual skills recorded a negative and insignificant effect on the growth of SMEs in the Abuja Metropolis. Limitations: This study is limited to SMEs operators in Abuja Metropolis (the political capital of Nigeria), Leaving Lagos (the economic capital of Nigeria untouched). It is only when Lagos is covered that one can give a clear direction if Nigerian SMEs operators are changing with the changing business world. Contribution: Operators, owners as well as policymakers in SMEs are expected to benefit from this study as it will serve as an eye-opener to the hidden and untapped potentials embedded in the proper application of managerial skills

Strategic outsourcing and corporate performance of quoted insurance firms in Nigeria

Purpose: This study is aimed at determining the effect of strategic outsourcing and corporate performance of quoted insurance firms in Nigeria Research methodology: The study adopted a survey research design because it is suitable and ideal for assessing how effective outsourcing strategy affects the corporate performance of insurance firms in Nigeria. With a population of 720 staff from three quoted insurance firms in Nigeria, using Yamane's formula, a sample of 260 respondents was selected. Multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses that were developed at a significance level of 0.05 percent. Results: The study unveiled that outsourcing has evolved into a helpful strategy and weapon for corporate organizations, particularly for Nigerian insurance companies that are constantly looking to improve their corporate performance in the financial sector. Limitations: This study is limited to quoted insurance firms in Nigeria as of December 2021; hence, the result may not be universal to other excluded categories.  It is expected that further studies should cover all the insurance firms in Nigeria with variables like comprehensive and ICT outsourcing strategies on the operational efficiency and profitability of insurance firms in Nigeria. Contributions: To leverage the services of other organizations and professionals outside of their core competencies for operational effectiveness and efficiency, corporate organizations in Nigeria, especially those in the financial sector, should incorporate strategic outsourcing into their corporate culture