Profitability

This study analyzed the profitability of cassava production in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research specifically examined the socio– economic characteristics of cassava farmers, estimated production costs and returns, identified factors influencing profitability, and documented constraints faced by producers. A two – stage sampling technique was employed to select 100 cassava farmers from five major farming communities in the local government area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that cassava production in the area is dominated by small – scale farmers with a mean age of 42 years, average farm size of 1.3 hectares, and relatively high educational attainment. Budgetary analysis showed the enterprise to be profitable with a gross margin of ₦107,929.46 and net profit of ₦67,054.70 per farmer per production cycle, yielding a net profit margin of 25.4%. Regression results identified farm size, yield and fertilizer cost as significant positive determinants of profitability

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 purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of bank profitability on economic growth in Nigeria. However, in order to achieve the objectives of this study, we utilised four explanatory variables as proxies for bank profitability (credit to private sector, bank loans, bank return on assets and total assets to GDP) while real gross domestic product was used as a proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. The study covered a time period of 1995-2020 (26years). The descriptive statistics and regression analysis technique were adopted in carrying
out the study’s empirical analysis Based on the empirical analysis, the following findings were arrived at: firstly, the study ound that there is a positive and insignificant relationship credit to private sector and economic growth in Nigeria; second, the study found that bank loans have a significant effect on economic growth in Nigeria; third, bank return on assets have an insignificant effect on economic growth in Nigeria; and finally, total assets to GDP was found to have a positive and significant effect on economic growth in Nigeria. In view of the salient findings from this study, the following specific policy recommendations were put forth: banks in Nigeria should lend more to the private sector as doing so ensures they are lending to sectors that are likely to generate more income the loans granted which will culminate into a multiplier
effect of enhanced economic growth performance in the long run; the apex monetary authority in Nigeria (CBN) should ensure that banks are regulated to give out more proportion of their income as loans to individuals, private sector and public sector; banks should not leave customers’ deposits idle but should invest a large chunk of it on risk-free securities such as government bonds as well other risky securities with the adoption of effect risk management mechanism; and efforts should be made by banks to maintain continuous increase in their
assets which could be by diversifying, opening more branches, among others.

This study examined and analyzed the effect pricing policies on profitability level of manufacturing firms. Data were primarily sourced through the administration of fifty (50) questionnaire out of which same number (50) of responses were retrieved and used for the empirical analysis. The descriptive (frequency, mean and percentage) and inferential statistics (regression) were adopted for the study’s analysis. Specifically, the analysis revealed the following: cost-plus pricing and competitive pricing strategies have a significant impact on the profitability level of manufacturing firms in Nigeria; while value-based pricing, dynamic pricing, and psychological pricing do not significantly affect the profitability level of Nigerian manufacturing firms. Based on these findings, it was recommended that: firms could benefit from rigorous cost control measures and efficient cost accounting systems; manufacturing firms should integrate customer perceptions of value into their product development and marketing strategies; manufacturing firms should maintain a keen awareness of market dynamics and competitor actions; manufacturing firms should consider scenarios where dynamic pricing could be useful, such as in managing inventory more effectively or in capitalizing on seasonal demand changes; and seek to understand psychological triggers specific to their target market segments and then experiment with different pricing formats and presentations that might appeal more to consumers' emotions and perception of pricing fairness.

Performance is considered an important factor determining the health of an organization. It is said to have greatly affected many different sectors of the economy and had both positive and negative impacts on the entire country. In light of this, this study examines a diagnostic analysis of the problem areas affecting the companies' profitability and productivity performance in Nigeria. A case study of Access Bank, Zenith bank,
UBA, Axa insurance, NEM insurance and AIICO insurance over a five years period (2018-2022). The quick productivity appraisal approach (QPA) is adopted in this study which uses company performance appraisal (CPA) to analyse company productivity and profitability performance. The study adopt secondary data which is extracted from the annual report of each of these companies from the Nigeria Exchange group with emphasis on return on assets (ROA), which is taken as a proxy for profitability and productivity performance. The deterioration or improvement of return on assets is attributed to two major components, which include the ratio of net profit to net sales and the return on assets turnover. The variables considered are cost of goods to sales ratio, operating expenses to sales ratio, total assets turnover, fixed assets turnover will be examined. Trend analysis is used in this study to examine the profitability and productivity measurement of companies. The findings therefore are analysed in three different levels namely; the company level, the i dustry level and the sectoral level. At the company level the result showed that Access bank plc, Zenith bank plc, Axa insurance plc and AIICO insurance plc exhibited low performance with regard to productivity and profitability. Nem insurance plc experience slight increase in productivity and profitability performance while UBA plc experience increasing productivity and profitability performance. At the industry level, it was found that banks and insurance companies suffer a decline in profitability and productivity performance. Finally, at the sectoral level, the financial sector recorded a decline in productivity and profitability. Therefore the priority areas to look into for improvement are production, marketing and administrative department. Therefore, companies, industries and the sector should improve productivity in relation to capital and labour by replace and repairing old machineries and equipments in the production department, reduce the number of managerial staffs, increase salaries and wages of employees and then strengthen market strategies by promoting companies sales and increasing advertisement.