CORPORATE

This study investigates the relationship between capital structure components and corporate financial performance in Nigerian firms, focusing on the consumer goods sector listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Specifically, it examines the influence of equity capital, short-term debt, long-term debt, and working capital on financial performance, using Return on Assets (ROA) as a key performance indicator. The study adopts a descriptive research design, utilizing secondary data from audited annual reports of 13 consumer goods firms over a five-year period (2019-2023). Findings indicate that equity capital and short-term debt have a significant positive impact on firm profitability, suggesting that a strong equity base and effective short-term debt management are crucial for financial stability and growth. However, long-term debt showed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship with performance, while working capital had a positive but insignificant effect. The study recommends that firms strengthen equity financing, optimize short-term debt, and reduce excessive long-term debt reliance. It also calls for improved working capital management and government policies to reduce borrowing costs for SMEs. The study contributes to capital structure theory in emerging markets, offering insights for financial managers, policymakers, and investors in Nigeria

The study takes a cursory look at the relationship between corporate governance and tax aggressiveness. It specifically examines the relationship between board size, board independence, board size, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, corporate governance compliance and corporate governance disclosure on tax aggressiveness. The study employed the Ex post facto research design. Data for the study were collected from annual reports of forty-five (45) non- financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the scope of this study covers a 10year period ranging from 2010 - 2019. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistic, correlation and panel data analyses. Following the results, it is revealed that the relationship between board independence, board size and managerial ownership have insignificant negative relationships with tax aggressiveness, board gender diversity and tax aggressiveness is positive and statistically significant while board foreign ownership and institutional ownership is positive and statistically insignificant with tax aggressiveness, it is also revealed that the moderating effect of agency cost on the relationship between corporate governance compliance and tax aggressiveness is positive and significant, and the moderating effect of agency cost on the relationship between corporate governance disclosure and tax aggressiveness is positive and significant.

The study takes a cursory look at the relationship between corporate governance and tax aggressiveness. It specifically examines the relationship between board size, board independence, board size, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, corporate governance compliance and corporate governance disclosure on tax aggressiveness. The study employed the Ex post facto research design. Data for the study were collected from annual reports of forty-five (45) non- financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the scope of this study covers a 10year period ranging from 2010 - 2019. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistic, correlation and panel data analyses. Following the results, it is revealed that the relationship between board independence, board size and managerial ownership have insignificant negative relationships with tax aggressiveness, board gender diversity and tax aggressiveness is positive and statistically significant while board foreign ownership and institutional ownership is positive and statistically insignificant with tax aggressiveness, it is also revealed that the moderating effect of agency cost on the relationship between corporate governance compliance and tax aggressiveness is positive and significant, and the moderating effect of agency cost on the relationship between corporate governance disclosure and tax aggressiveness is positive and significant.

This study examined the relationship between board characteristics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) among selected Nigerian firms. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of board size, board diversity, board independence and board expertise on CSR performance, while firm size and return on assets (ROA) were included as control variables. Secondary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. The descriptive results showed moderate CSR engagement among the firms. The correlation analysis revealed that CSR is positively associated with board characteristics, company size, and profitability. Diagnostic tests confirmed that the regression model satisfied major assumptions, including normality, absence of multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity. The regression results further indicated that board size has a positive and statistically significant effect on CSR, suggesting that larger boards facilitate stronger commitment to CSR initiatives. Although board diversity, board independence and board expertise also showed positive relationships with CSR, they were not statistically significant. Additionally, both ROA and company size were significant predictors of CSR, implying that more profitable and larger firms are more socially responsible.