DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING

This study investigates the impact of board diversity on financial performance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, focusing on national, ethnic, age, and gender diversity as key dimensions. The population comprises all twelve oil and gas companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group as of December 31, 2022, with a census approach capturing the entire population as the sample. Panel data methodology, specifically Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, is employed to account for potential time-series variation and firm-specific effects in the analysis, using Earnings Per Share (EPS) as a proxy for financial performance. The study finds that ethnic and age diversity have a statistically significant positive impact on EPS, suggesting that a diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds and age groups within boards enhances financial outcomes. In contrast, national and gender diversity how no significant effect on EPS, indicating that these diversity dimensions may hold less influence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The study recommends that companies in this sector prioritize ethnic and age diversity in board composition to improve financial performance, while policymakers and corporate leaders are encouraged to foster initiatives that support diverse perspectives, optimizing board effectiveness and shareholder wealth.

The study examined the determinants of environmental disclosures in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Secondary data was retrieved from the corporate annual reports of the sampled companies. Descriptive statistics, ordinary lease square, analysis, endogenuity test, fixed and random effect estimation, Hausuan tests were all carried out. Regression tests such as normality, multicolliinsarity, heteroskidasticity and serial correlation were also carried out, the study revealed that profitability exerted a positive and statistically
significant impact on environmental disclosure, leverage exerted a negative impact but statically significant. Company size has no significant impact. There is a significant evaluating effect of foreign domestic ownership ratio on the relationship between firm size, lavage, financial performance and environmental disclosures. We therefore recommend that firms doing well financially should pay more attention to environmental reporting, firms irrespective of their leverage level should improve their environmental performance; both small and big firms should improve their environmental performance and that, the presence of more foreign-domestic ownership will lead to more robust disclosures of environmental issues.

The broad objective of this study is to determine the link between board diversity and firm financial performance of quoted manufacturing industry in Nigeria the specific objectives are to evaluate how board gender affect financial performance of quoted manufacturing industry in Nigeria, ascertain the extends to which board professional background affect financial performance of quoted company in Nigeria and to examine the relationship between board ethnicity and financial performance of quoted manufacturing company in Nigeria. The relevant data for the study covers a period of 6 years (2018 to 2023) all manufacturing company Nigeria. This study employs the descriptive statistics, ordinary least square (OLS) multivariate regression analysis. Base on the result it could deduce that there is a relationship between board diversity and firm financial performance. On the other hand, Board gender diversity and board ethnicity was statistically insignificant at 5% level. While board educational background and board age were not statistically significant at 5% level.

Taxation is a major source of government revenue and a key driver of economic development. In Nigeria, however, tax evasion and avoidance especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to hinder effective revenue generation. This study examines how five common SME practices income underreporting, false deductions, non-registration of businesses, multiple business identities, and inappropriate financial records affect economic development. A survey research design was employed, and primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to SME operators across different sectors. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.842) confirmed instrument reliability. Findings show that all five practices are prevalent among SMEs. Income underreporting and inappropriate financial records had the strongest negative effects on economic development. Overall, the study concludes that each of the five practices significantly undermines Nigeria’s economic development.