Department of Accounting

This study investigates the relationship between auditor independence and financial reporting quality (FRQ) among deposit money banks (DMBs) listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). It focuses on three key auditor attributes: audit firm tenure, audit firm size, and the provision of non-audit services, and examines how they influence the credibility of financial disclosures in Nigeria’s banking sector. An ex post facto research design was adopted, using panel data extracted from the annual reports of all twelve listed DMBs for the period 2017 to 2024. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were applied, while multiple regression was conducted to assess the combined and individual effects of the selected auditor characteristics on FRQ, after diagnostic tests for normality, multicollinearity, and heteroskedasticity. The findings reveal that audit firm size has a positive and significant effect on FRQ, demonstrating that large and well-resourced audit firms contribute to more transparent and reliable financial statements. Non-audit services also show a strong positive and significant relationship with FRQ, suggesting that when properly regulated, such services enhance auditors’ understanding of clients’ operations and strengthen audit effectiveness. Conversely, audit firm tenure was not statistically significant, indicating that the length of the auditor–client relationship does not meaningfully affect reporting quality under Nigeria’s current regulatory framework. These results support Agency Theory by showing how independent and capable auditors reduce information asymmetry, and Signalling Theory by highlighting how high-quality audits boost market credibility. The study concludes that technical capacity, independence safeguards, and informed regulation of non-audit services are more critical to financial reporting credibility than mandatory rotation alone. It recommends that regulators such as the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enforce independence rules, encourage the engagement of technically robust audit firms, maintain existing tenure regulations while ensuring compliance, and regulate non-audit services through clear disclosure and fee caps. These measures can enhance audit quality, improve investor confidence, and strengthen the stability of Nigeria’s banking system.

The recent challenges in financial accounting report requires the accounting profession to uphold transparency in the preparation of financial statements for users of such financial information. One of these challenges includes the application of unethical accounting in the presentation of financial report by management of an organization. Therefore, it is the responsibility of accountants in producing a standard, accurate, concise, and timely financial report applying accounting ethics in order to prevent frauds and misleading to the users of such information. The study’s main objective was to examine the role of ethics on the quality of financial report in commercial banks while the specific objective was to evaluate how integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality and professional behaviour relates with the quality of financial reports of commercial banks in Nigeria. The research design employed in this study was cross sectional survey. Target population received copies of questionnaire and 102 responses were subsequently collected. The findings highlight the significant role of ethical principles particularly integrity, objectivity, and professional competence in enhancing financial reporting quality. This finding underscores the crucial role of integrity in certifying correct and reliable financial report, aligning with prior studies that highlight integrity as a cornerstone of ethical financial management. The relationship between integrity and the quality of financial reports is significant. Objectivity and professional competence showed significant relationship with financial reporting quality. While confidentiality and professional behaviour showed negative associations with financial reporting quality, their effects were not statistically relevant. This indicates that although confidentiality is vital for protecting sensitive financial information, excessive secrecy may hinder transparency and accountability, ultimately affecting financial reporting quality. In light of the results, the study recommends the necessity for organisations to strengthen ethical governance and ensure that financial professionals adhere to good ethical principles to improve credibility of financial reporting.

This study examined the influence of fair value accounting on firm value among thirteen deposit money banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) over the period 2013–2023. The study specifically investigated the effects of institutional ownership, investor reaction, leverage, firm size, compliance, and audit fees on firm value. Secondary data were collected from the audited annual reports of the sampled banks and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel least squares regression in EViews 13. The descriptive analysis revealed moderate firm value, high institutional ownership, large firm size, and significant investment in audit fees, while the correlation analysis showed weak relationships among the study variables, indicating no multicollinearity concerns. Regression results indicated that none of the independent variables had a statistically significant impact on firm value, with the model explaining only 2% of the variation in firm value (R² = 0.0204). The findings suggest that fair value accounting, as proxied by the selected measures, does not significantly influence the valuation of Nigerian banks. It is concluded that other factors, including external market conditions and unobserved firm-specific characteristics, may play a more substantial role in determining firm value. The study recommends that bank management, investors, and regulators consider broader financial, operational, and market factors in evaluating firm performance and valuation.

This study examines the effect of forensic data analytics on audit quality in the Nigerian banking sector. It investigates the relationship between data collection methods, data cleaning, data mining and detection techniques, and predictive analytics, and their collective impact on audit quality. The study was motivated by the growing complexity of financial transactions and the need for auditors to employ advanced technological tools to enhance accuracy, fraud detection, and transparency in financial reporting. An ex post facto and survey research design was adopted. Data were obtained from 384 respondents across selected deposit money banks in Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The results revealed that all components of forensic data analytics—data collection methods, data cleaning, data mining and detection techniques, and predictive analytics—had significant and positive effects on audit quality. The regression model showed that these variables collectively explained 76.1% of the variation in audit quality, indicating a strong relationship between forensic data analytics and improved audit performance. The study concludes that forensic data analytics significantly enhances audit quality by improving fraud detection, predictive risk assessment, and the reliability of financial reporting. It recommends that banks integrate forensic data analytics tools into their audit systems, invest in robust data infrastructure, and provide continuous training for auditors to build capacity in analytics-driven auditing. The study contributes to knowledge by empirically validating the influence of forensic data analytics on audit quality within the context of Nigerian banks and extending Institutional Theory by demonstrating how regulatory pressures and technological advancements drive the adoption of forensic analytics in auditing.

Neglect remains one of the most pervasive yet underexplored challenges facing the older adult population in Nigeria, particularly within local communities such as Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. This study examines the traumatic impact of neglect on the health status of older adults, highlighting how abandonment, lack of proper care, and inadequate social support systems exacerbate their vulnerability. The research investigates how neglect manifested through inadequate nutrition, poor medical attention, social isolation, and emotional abandonment contributes to both physical and psychological health deterioration. The findings reveal that neglect not only aggravates chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis but also leads to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self-worth among the elderly. Furthermore, neglect has been identified as a barrier to accessing healthcare facilities, thereby deepening the health crisis among older adults in Oredo. By focusing on this case study, the research emphasizes the urgent need for improved family responsibility, community intervention, and government policies targeted at elderly care. The study concludes that addressing the traumatic impact of neglect on older adults requires a multi-dimensional approach involving healthcare systems, social welfare programs, and cultural reorientation towards respect and care for the aged.

This study examined the effect of digital tax systems on revenue collection efficiency in Nigeria, focusing on electronic tax filing systems, electronic payment platforms, taxpayer digital registration and identification systems, and automated tax assessment and reporting systems. The research was motivated by persistent inconsistencies in revenue collection efficiency and administrative leakages within the Nigerian tax framework despite ongoing digital reforms. Anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study adopted a qualitative research design. Primary data were gathered via a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 384 respondents, comprising officials of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and active taxpayers, yielding 383 valid observations, which were analysed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The empirical findings revealed that
electronic payment platforms and taxpayer digital registration and identification systems have positive and statistically significant effects on revenue collection efficiency, indicating that secure payment channels and robust databases enhance tax administration, curb revenue diversion, and improve taxpayer tracking. Conversely, electronic tax filing systems and automated tax assessment and reporting systems exhibited positive but statistically insignificant relationships with revenue collection efficiency. This insignificance highlights operational constraints, such as technical system errors, infrastructure deficits, and limited user adaptability, that hinder the full realisation of the benefits of automated assessment and e-filing. The study concludes that while digital tax systems are vital mechanisms for maximising revenue performance, their efficiency gains depend heavily on the reliability of the infrastructure. It is recommended that tax authorities invest in robust digital infrastructure to eradicate system downtime, strengthen secure payment integrations, expand the taxpayer database, and enhance digital literacy among administrators and taxpayers.