FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

The most crucial level of control in every organization is board of directors. However, the role of a diverse board on the financial performance of a firm can never be over emphasized. Diversity in terms of gender, independent directors and board composition are expected to affect the advisory role of board of directors due to the diverse information they posses. Thus, the study investigates the effect of board diversity on financial performance of consumer goods firms in Nigeria, the study covers a period of five years (2018-2022). The population of the study is made up of the twenty six (26) listed consumer goods firms as at 31st December, 2012. A sample of seventeen (17) firms was drawn from the population as they have all the information required within the period under study. Secondary data was obtained from the annual report and account of sample firms. The study used correlational research design and a multiple regression technique was employed for analysis to determine the effect of board diversity on financial performance of firms under study. The result was interpreted using fixed-effect regression model. The finding of the study showed that two of diversity variables (Independent director and board composition) have a positive effect financial performance and gender diversity has no significant impact on firm performance. The study, therefore, concludes that on the overall board diversity has a significant impact on financial performance of the firms under study. It is therefore, recommended that regulatory authorities should encourage firms to consider foreign directors in their board room
when appointing board of directors for efficient monitoring and effective board oversight function.

In this study, the effect of financial development on insurance penetration in Nigeria sector for the period 1995 – 2022 was investigated using ordinary least square (OLS) technique. Financial development indicators utilized in the study includes broad money supply and credit to private sector while insurance sector penetration rate was the dependent variable. We estimated a regression model and the result reveals that broad money supply has negative and insignificant impact on insurance penetration in Nigeria while credit to private sector was positively and significantly related to insurance penetration. The study recommends that regulatory authorities charged with the sole responsibility of ensuring the macroeconomic stability of Nigeria should ensure that more credit should be extended to the private sector in other to further deepen insurance penetration rate in Nigeria. Also, the negative and insignificant effect of broad money supply on insurance penetration in Nigeria calls for the strict reevaluation of the present monetary policy tools as regard the volume of money in circulation to ensure that it contribute significantly to insurance penetration rate in Nigeria

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has become an important framework in today’s business world. It focuses on three key areas environmental, social, and governance which together encourage organisations to act responsibly and build longterm value. Closely related ideas such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability share this same goal of promoting ethical and sustainable business practices. The environmental aspect of ESG is about caring for and protecting the natural environment recognising it as a vital gift that should be managed responsibly. The social aspect focuses on people and communities, highlighting issues such as employee wellbeing, community support, and social equity. The governance aspect, on the other hand, deals with how an organisation is managed and controlled, including leadership integrity, transparency, and accountability. Every organisation aims to improve its financial performance, as this is essential for growth and long-term success. Organisational resilience refers to how strong and adaptable a company can be when faced with challenges, while organisational behavioural change involves adopting the right attitudes and practices needed to achieve business goals.

This study examines the effect of television advertising messages on alcohol consumption among students of the University of Benin, focusing on how exposure to alcohol
advertisements influences consumption behavior, interest in alcohol, purchase intentions, and brand patronage. A sample size of 301 undergraduate students was used, drawn from a total of 395 distributed questionnaires, with data analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The study employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis to assess the relationship between television advertising and students’ alcohol-related behaviors. Findings reveal that television advertisements significantly influence alcohol consumption (B = 0.624, p = .000), stimulate interest in alcohol (B = 0.614, p = .000), increase purchase intentions (B = 0.553, p = .000), and drive brand patronage (B = 0.639, p = .000). These results suggest that frequent exposure to alcohol-related television commercials contributes to students’ drinking behaviors by making alcohol appear more appealing and socially desirable. Based on these findings, the study recommends stricter regulatory policies on alcohol advertisements targeting young audiences, public awareness campaigns on responsible drinking, and educational programs within universities to address the risks associated with alcohol consumption

This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on audit efficiency, with a specific focus on selected professional organizations in Benin City, Nigeria. Employing a survey research design, the study gathered data from 50 respondents across various industries using structured questionnaires. The analysis utilized both correlation and linear regression techniques to assess the relationship between AI components—Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Predictive Analytics—and audit efficiency. The findings reveal that Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics significantly enhance audit efficiency, as evidenced by their strong positive correlations and statistically significant regression coefficients. These technologies contribute to improved financial reporting accuracy, enhanced fraud detection, and reduced audit risks. Conversely, NLP and RPA did not show statistically significant effects, suggesting that their integration into audit workflows may be limited or at a developmental stage

This study explored the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the financial performance of deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigates impact of CSR on Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Net Profit Margin (NPM). It focused on four CSR dimensions: corporate governance, economic responsibility, ethical responsibility and philanthropic responsibility.

The study adopted an ex-post facto research design, utilizing secondary data obtained from The Annual Financial Reports of DMBs listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from 2011 to 2023. The analysis employed panel data estimation techniques, including fixed and random effects models, to determine the relationships between CSR practices and financial performance of deposit Money banks.

The findings indicated that economic responsibility had a significant positive effect on ROA, suggesting that DMBs that engage in value-creating activities such as offering innovative financial products and services, as well as supporting local economic development, tend to experience improved financial performance. Additionally, philanthropic responsibility, which includes community development initiatives, education support, and disaster relief efforts, was found to positively impact ROA, ROE and NIM enhancing brand reputation and customer loyality. Ethical responsibility, reflected in the adoption of transparent and fair business practices, also demonstrated a positive effect on financial performance by fostering trust and mitigating risk associated with legal and reputational issues. However, corporate governance was found to have no significant impact on ROA, indicating that governance practices may not directly influence the financial outcomes of Nigerian banks. Based on these findings, the study recommended that banks should priorities economic and philanthropic CSR activities, promote ethical business conduct, and enhance their corporate governance frameworks to improve performance. The results underline the importance of CSR in contributing to both financial success and socio-economic development in host communities.

This study investigates the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria, emphasizing the role of accessible financial services in promoting investment, employment, and income equality. Using secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the World Bank from 2000 to 2023, the study analyzes indicators such as the number of bank branches, mobile money usage, savings rate, and credit to the private sector in relation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. The findings reveal a strong positive link between financial inclusion and economic growth, showing that greater access to financial services stimulates productive activities and enhances economic performance. However, factors such as poor financial literacy, infrastructural deficits, and limited rural access still constrain the full benefits of inclusion. The study recommends policies that promote digital finance, improve financial literacy, and expand financial infrastructure to achieve sustainable economic growth in Nigeria

Risk management has become a critical function in modern organizations due to increasing uncertainty, competition, regulatory demands, and rapid technological change. This study examines the relationship between risk management practices and corporate organizational effectiveness. It explores how systematic identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring of risks contribute to improved decision-making, operational stability, and long-term sustainability within organizations. The study highlights key components of effective risk management frameworks, including risk assessment, internal controls, compliance mechanisms, and strategic risk planning.
Using a conceptual and analytical approach, the research reviews existing literature and organizational practices to determine how proactive risk management influences organizational performance indicators such as productivity, financial stability, adaptability, and goal achievement. The findings suggest that organizations that integrate risk management into their strategic and operational processes are better positioned to anticipate uncertainties, reduce potential losses, and exploit emerging opportunities.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of leadership commitment, organizational culture, and clear risk governance structures in ensuring the successful implementation of risk management systems. It concludes that effective risk management significantly enhances corporate organizational effectiveness by promoting resilience, improving resource allocation, and strengthening stakeholder confidence. The study recommends that organizations adopt comprehensive risk management frameworks and continuously evaluate risk strategies to maintain competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth.

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of accounting ethics on financial reporting among firms. Specifically, the study focuses on three key dimensions of accounting ethics: relevance, objectivity, and integrity. Using a survey method, data were collected from 100 respondents who are professionals in the accounting and financial sectors. The collected data were analysed to assess the relationship between these ethical dimensions and the quality of financial reporting. The results of the analysis indicate that relevance, objectivity, and integrity all have significant and positive impacts on financial reporting. Relevance was found to enhance the accuracy and usefulness of financial information, ensuring that stakeholders receive pertinent data for decision-making. Objectivity contributes to unbiased and fair financial statements, fostering trust and transparency. Similarly, integrity was shown to uphold honesty and ethical standards in financial reporting, further bolstering stakeholder confidence. These findings underscore the critical role of accounting ethics in ensuring high- quality financial reporting. The study suggests that adherence to ethical principles not only improves the reliability of financial statements but also strengthens the overall credibility of the accounting profession. Consequently, organizations should prioritize ethical training and foster a culture of ethical behaviour to enhance their financial reporting practices.

The economic effects of climate change on Nigeria's agricultural productivity are examined in this study. The research utilises estimation and simulation methodologies to examine the effects of climate change on Nigeria's total agricultural production from 1970 to 2015, which includes crop, livestock, forestry, and fish production. The study employs a disaggregated agricultural output model that was established through co-integration analysis, error correction mechanisms, and impulse response functions (IRFs) in order to acknowledge the diverse effects of climate change on these discrete agricultural sectors. The results show that over both short- and long-term times, climate-related factors have a considerable impact on both the total and particular agricultural outputs. The study assesses the elasticity of individual agricultural outputs with respect to climate change in order to capture the asymmetric impacts of climate change on the different agricultural sectors within Nigeria. As expected, the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity differs depending on the output/product. Variations in CO2 emissions
have a statistically significant negative impact on the total and individual components of
agricultural output, with the exception of forestry. On the other hand, fluctuations in precipitation
show a strong positive influence on the total and each of the agricultural production's
subcomponents. Nonetheless, over the course of the study period, it was found that the influence
of temperature was relatively mild. These findings make it clear that one of the main factors
influencing agricultural productivity is climate change. As a result, the report makes several
recommendations, including that the Nigerian government give priority to agriculture and enact
laws intended to lessen the negative consequences of the present climate crisis, with a particular
emphasis on CO2 emissions. It also says that immediate action is required to raise rural farmers' knowledge of appropriate weather and climate risk management and the sustainable use of
weather and climate data for agricultural production in Nigeria.