FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

The thrust of this study is on the impact of Chief Executive Officer’s (CEOs) attributes on environmental disclosure in Nigeria. It specifically examined how CEO tenure, CEO foreign CEO gender and CEO age influence environmental disclosure among Nigerian firms. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design. The sample consisted of thirty (30) companies selected from five environmentally sensitive sectors (construction and real estate, conglomerate, agriculture, natural resources; and health) listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) between the periods of 2018 to 2023. Secondary data was used as extracted from the annual reports and accounts of the sampled firms. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and panel regression analysis. The findings showed an average environmental disclosure of 17.6%. The result of the regression analysis revealed that while CEO tenure and CEO age have direct and inverse relationship with environmental disclosure respectively, the variables of CEO foreign exposure and CEO gender were statistically non- significant. The study recommends among others that regulators of the non-financial companies should replicate the CEO tenure ship requirements applicable to Nigerian commercial banks. It was also recommended that competency; experience and performance in prior engagements should be primary decision-making benchmarks for appointing new CEOs while gender and foreign exposure can be secondary requirements.

This study examined the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria over the period 2015 to 2024. The main objective was to investigate how board independence, board diversity, board size, and CEO duality influence firm performance measured by return on assets. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and relied on secondary data obtained from the published annual reports of ten purposively selected insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group. The population comprised twenty-eight listed insurance firms as of December 2024. The study employed panel data analysis using both the Fixed Effects and Random Effects models. The Hausman specification test was conducted to determine the most appropriate model for estimation, and the test result favoured the Fixed Effects model. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to summarise the data and examine the relationships among the variables, while regression analysis was applied to test the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that board independence, board diversity, and board size each have a positive and statistically significant effect on firm performance, whereas CEO duality has a negative and significant effect. The results imply that firms with more independent and diverse boards and optimal board sizes perform better financially, while those combining the roles of CEO and board chair tend to underperform. The model explained approximately 61.1 percent of the variation in firm performance, indicating a strong explanatory power. The study concludes that effective corporate governance mechanisms are crucial for improving profitability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of insurance firms in Nigeria. It recommends that companies should strengthen board independence, promote gender diversity, maintain optimal board sizes, and separate leadership roles in order to enhance accountability, transparency, and performance. The study contributes to existing literature by providing empirical evidence from the Nigerian insurance industry and by demonstrating the applicability of panel data techniques in assessing governance–performance relationships in emerging markets.

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.

This study investigates the impact of digital marketing strategies on brand retention in the telecommunications industry in Benin City, Nigeria. Amidst intense competition and high churn rates (averaging 4.8-7.2% monthly), the research focuses on four key dimensions: content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and affiliate marketing. Utilizing a descriptive survey design, primary data was collected from 400 active telecom subscribers via structured questionnaires, employing multiple linear regression analysis to test relationships. Findings reveal that content marketing (β = 0.290, p = 0.000), social media marketing (β = 0.245, p = 0.001), and affiliate marketing (β = 0.243, p = 0.000) significantly enhance brand retention, while email marketing shows no significant effect (β = −0.058, p = 0.329). The model explains 40.6% of variance in retention (R² = 0.406), highlighting the role of interactive and value-driven digital engagements in fostering loyalty among a predominantly young, entrepreneurial demographic (62% male, 61.3% aged 21-30). The study concludes that telecom firms should prioritize culturally resonant digital strategies to sustain customer loyalty in Benin City’s evolving market. Recommendations include intensifying content creation, boosting social interactions, redesigning personalized emails, and expanding affiliate programs. Suggestions for future research encompass broader geographic scopes and mixed-methods approaches to explore emerging trends like AI in retention.

This study examines the impact of digital marketing on consumer buying behavior of food delivery services among University of Benin students. The study adopted quantitative research design as its methodology. A sample size of 300 students was surveyed using a structured questionnaire, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings reveal that social media advertisements (B = 0.242, p = 0.001) and email marketing campaigns (B = 0.295, p = 0.000) significantly influence students’ awareness and adoption of food delivery services. However, mobile marketing strategies (B = 0.023, p = 0.730) and search engine optimization (B = 0.016, p = 0.823) did not have a significant impact on purchase decisions. These results suggest that social media and email marketing are the most effective digital marketing tools for engaging university students in the food delivery sector. Based on these findings, it is recommended that businesses prioritize social media and email marketing strategies by leveraging personalized promotions, influencer collaborations, and visually engaging content to drive consumer engagement. Additionally, food delivery services should refine their mobile marketing approach by offering tailored in-app rewards and optimizing notification relevance to improve responsiveness.

Workplace bullying has emerged as a critical issue affecting employee performance in various sectors, including healthcare. This study examines the prevalence of workplace bullying among healthcare professionals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and its impact on employee performance. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to 365 healthcare employees across public and private healthcare institutions. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to determine the extent and consequences of workplace bullying on job performance, morale, and employee retention. The findings reveal that workplace bullying is a widespread issue in the healthcare sector, with verbal abuse, unfair criticism, excessive workload, exclusion, and physical intimidation being the most common forms. The study further establishes that workplace bullying significantly affects employees' ability to perform their tasks effectively, lowers morale, and contributes to high turnover intentions. Additionally, the research indicates that despite the existence of management policies, many employees believe that workplace bullying is inadequately addressed in their institutions. Based on these findings, the study recommends the implementation of stronger anti- bullying policies, enhanced management intervention strategies, and increased employee awareness programs to mitigate the negative effects of workplace bullying. By fostering a healthier work environment, healthcare institutions can improve employee performance, job satisfaction, and overall service delivery

This study examines the relationship between auditor independence and corporate fraud across 8 Publicly listed companies spanning multiple sectors in Nigeria. The research investigates five key determinants of auditor independence; audit tenure, non-audit services, audit firm rotation, audit firm size, and audit fee dependence, and their impact on fraud detection. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing secondary data from financial statements, audit reports, and corporate filings from 2018 to 2023. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to assess how each factor influences corporate fraud risk. The findings indicate that prolonged audit tenure can either enhance fraud detection by improving auditors’ understanding of clients or impair independence due to familiarity threats. The provision of non-audit services was found to significantly increase fraud risk, as financial dependence on additional consulting engagements compromises auditors' objectivity. Mandatory audit firm rotation was associated with reduced fraud risks by introducing fresh perspectives and minimizing complacency, although frequent rotations posed transitional challenges. The study also found that audit firm size had an inconclusive effect on fraud detection, with Big Four firms benefiting from greater regulatory scrutiny but still susceptible to financial incentives. Furthermore, audit fee dependence was strongly linked to increased fraud risks, as auditors reliant on a single client’s fees were less likely to issue adverse opinions. The study concludes that strengthening auditor independence through stricter regulatory enforcement, mandatory firm rotation, and limitations on non-audit services is essential for mitigating corporate fraud. The findings provide practical insights for policymakers, auditors, and corporate governance bodies to enhance financial reporting integrity and fraud prevention mechanisms in Nigeria

This study examined the impact of venture capital financing on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Benin City, with emphasis on growth, profitability, and innovation capacity. The study adopted a survey research design and primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to 205 SME owners and managers who have received or sought venture capital support. A total of 198 valid responses were retrieved and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The descriptive results revealed that respondents generally perceive venture capital financing as
a catalyst for business expansion, increased revenue, operational efficiency, and enhanced innovative capability. The inferential analysis further confirmed these perceptions. The regression results showed that venture capital financing has a significant positive effect on SME growth ,profitability, and innovation indicating that venture capital financing explains 67.9% of the variation in SME performance. The findings reveal that venture capital financing significantly contributes to the growth and competitiveness of SMEs by providing not only financial support but also managerial expertise, mentorship, and access to networks. However,
challenges such as limited awareness, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and high investment risks hinder the full realization of venture capital’s potential. In Benin, however, the venture capital market remains underdeveloped due to regulatory bottlenecks, low investor confidence, and limited awareness among entrepreneurs. The study concludes that venture capital financing plays a strategic role in improving SME performance in Benin City by fostering growth, increasing financial outcomes, and encouraging
innovation. It recommends that government and private sector stakeholders enhance access to venture capital through policy support, investment incentives, and awareness programmers, in order to strengthen SME development and economic sustainability and also strengthening Nigeria’s venture capital framework is essential for unlocking the full potential of SMEs in driving sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.

The study examined the effect of financial system development and gross capital formation in Nigeria, over a 15-year period, from 2009 to 2023. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the effect of financial openness on gross capital formation in Nigeria, the impact of financial deepening on gross capital formation in Nigeria., determine the influence of market capitalization on gross capital formation in Nigeria, assess the effect of value of stock traded on gross capital formation in Nigeria., and to evaluate the impact of insurance penetration on gross capital formation in Nigeria. To this end, the longitudinal research design was utilized in this study. The findings revealed that financial openness (FINOPEN) has a weak negative relationship with gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in Nigeria both in the short run and in the long run, that
financial deepening (FNDEEP) is a significant determinant of gross fixed capital formation(GFCF)in Nigeria in the short run; but in the long run, it does not have any significant impact, that market capitalization (MACAP) has a weak positive ef ect on gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) intheshort run; but in the long run, it is a potent factor, that value of stock traded (VASTOC) does not have significant impact on gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in Nigeria both in the short term
run and in the long run, that insurance penetration (INSPEN) has a significant negative relationship with gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in the short run; but in the long run, it does not significantly affect gross fixed capital formation., and that in the short run, total insurance premium (TOPREM) is a significant factor in the determination of gross fixed capital formation(GFCF), but not in the long run. The study concludes that that, market capitalization (MACAP) is a
very potent financial system development variable for enhancing GFCF in Nigeria in the long run; while in the short run, deepening (FNDEEP), insurance penetration (INSPEN) and total insurance premium (TOPREM) are relevant factors to be considered in terms of improving the level of gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) in Nigeria.

This study examines the impact of capital structure on firm performance among oil and gas firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from 2014 to 2023. Given the capital-intensive nature of the industry, understanding the relationship between debt and equity financing is crucial for optimizing financial performance. The study employ sanex-post facto research design, relying on secondary data sourced from annual financial
reports, the NGX database, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
A panel data regression model is used to assess the effect of key capital structure variables—debt-to-equity ratio, debt ratio, equity ratio, and long-term debt to assets ratio—on firm performance, measured through Return on Assets (ROA) and market
value. The study applies descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel regression techniques, using the Hausman test to determine the appropriate model (Fixed Effects or Random Effects). Diagnostic tests are also conducted to ensure the validity and reliability of the regression results.
Findings from the study are expected to provide empirical evidence on how leverage influences financial performance, offering insights for corporate managers, investors, and policymakers in optimizing capital structure decisions. The study contributes to existing literature by incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, which have gained prominence in corporate financing decisions.