FINANCIAL

This study examined the impact of audit committee characteristics on financial reporting quality in Nigerian telecommunication companies. The research adopted an ex-post facto design and relied on secondary data obtained from the published annual reports of four major telecommunications firms MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile for the period 2015 to 2024. Financial reporting quality was measured by the timeliness of financial statements, while audit committee independence, size, meeting frequency, and financial expertise served as the explanatory variables. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques with the aid of Stata 13. The diagnostic tests confirmed the absence of multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity, and autocorrelation, ensuring the reliability of the model. The regression results revealed that audit committee independence, size, meeting frequency, and expertise did not have a statistically significant effect on financial reporting quality in the sampled firms. The overall model also lacked explanatory power, suggesting that audit committee characteristics, as currently structured in Nigerian telecommunications companies, may not be strong determinants of reporting timeliness. The findings indicate that compliance with governance requirements does not automatically translate into higher reporting quality unless audit committees actively perform their oversight roles. The study concludes that while audit committees are vital for corporate governance, their effectiveness depends more on active engagement, independence in practice, and professional competence than on formal attributes such as size or meeting frequency. It recommends that regulatory authorities and company boards focus on strengthening the functional capacity of audit committees by providing continuous training, enforcing genuine independence, and prioritizing quality over quantity in audit committee activities.

This study was concerned with the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in Nigeria and specific stakeholders in the Nigerian financial landscape. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population consisted of 500 investors and accountants in Benin City and a sample size of 225 investors in publicly listed companies and accountants which was selected using convenience sampling techniques enabling easy gathering of primary data with minimal resources. The hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings from the study shows that the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) has a significant impact on the quality of investment decision-making in the Nigerian financial landscape, that there is need for improvement in the roles played by regulatory bodies in the implementation of IFRSs in Nigerian financial landscape, and that the accounting profession and academia play a crucial role in developing competent accountants for the proper implementation of IFRSs in Nigerian financial landscape. Based on the findings, recommendations were made, such as formulation and enforcement of comprehensive regulations for IFRSs implementation by government regulatory agencies, the accounting profession should be primarily involved in development of accountants knowledgeable in IFRSs, and ensuring compliance with the IFRSs by the preparers of financial statements. This can enable Nigeria to leverage the full benefits of adopting and implementing international Financial Reporting Standards in Nigeria. The findings of this study also confirmed some previous studies.

This study investigates the impact of financial innovation on the Nigerian banking industry, with a focus on its effects on customer satisfaction, retention, and patronage, as well as the challenges customers face when using innovative banking services. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed among bank customers in Benin City, Edo State, of which 100 were completed and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, employing both descriptive statistics and regression tests. The findings indicate that financial innovation significantly enhances customer satisfaction (B = 0.666, t = 16.821, p = .000) and influences customer patronage (B = 0.152, t = 2.815, p = .005), but has an insignificant impact on customer retention (B = 0.085, t = 1.223, p = .222). Moreover, the study reveals notable challenges including technical issues, security concerns, delays in transaction processing, and slow complaint resolution. Based on these results, it is recommended that banks continue to invest in user-friendly digital platforms, integrate personalized customer relationship management strategies to improve retention, employ targeted marketing to enhance patronage, and upgrade their IT infrastructure to address operational challenges.

This study examines the impact of internal control systems on the financial performance of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. With the increasing complexity of business operations and the prevalence of financial irregularities, internal control mechanisms have become essential tools for enhancing accountability, operational efficiency, and corporate governance. The research adopted a survey design using primary data collected through structured questionnaires administered to selected manufacturing firms. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the relationship between internal control componentssuch as control environment, risk assessment, control activities, monitoring, and information & communicationand financial performance indicators. Findings revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between effective internal control systems and the financial performance of manufacturing firms. Firms with well-structured control systems tend to exhibit better financial outcomes, reduced fraud risks, and improved resource utilization. The study concludes that robust internal control systems play a crucial role in enhancing financial performance. It recommends that manufacturing firms invest in strengthening their internal control frameworks to ensure sustainable financial growth and compliance with regulatory standards

This study investigates the impact of financial efficiency on Nigeria’s economic performance, focusing on economic growth, price instability (inflation), and trade balance. The research is anchored on the theories of financial intermediation and endogenous growth, which emphasize the role of efficient financial systems and capital accumulation in driving economic development. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to accommodate the mixed order of integration of the variables, the study estimates three models to assess both short-run and long-run effects. The findings reveal that financial efficiency does not have a statistically significant impact on economic growth or inflation control, contrary to many previous studies. However, financial efficiency demonstrates a significant short-run effect on stabilizing the trade balance.These results suggest that structural and institutional weaknesses, along with human capital challenges, limit the ability of financial efficiency to foster sustained economic improvements in Nigeria. The study concludes that financial sector reforms must be integrated with broader institutional and macroeconomic policies to enhance economic performance and sustainable development.

This study examined the Effect of Accounting Practices on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The research focused on how key accounting concepts – internal controls, financial reporting, budgeting practices, and role of support – influence the sustainability, profitability, and the overall performance of SMEs. A structured questionnaire was administered to SME owners and operators, across various sectors. Data collected was analyzed to determine the relationship between accounting practices and financial performance. The findings revealed that strong internal control systems significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce fraud, and also ensure compliance with financial procedures. Financial reporting, when timely and accurate, enhances transparency, helps in the process of decision making, and builds investor confidence in SMEs. Furthermore, Budgeting was found to play a vital role in planning, and evaluation of performance, aiding SMEs manage limited resources more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, the study highlighted the critical role of government support in shaping SME performance through tax incentives or holidays, access to credit, and mandatory adoption of basic financial reporting standards. It also concluded that SMEs with sound accounting practices are better positioned to achieve financial stability, attract invetors, and also contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth.

This study investigates the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria for the period 2000 to 2024. Financial inclusion was measured using the number of bank branches per 100,000 adults, automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults, borrowers from commercial banks per 1,000 adults, and current account holders per 1,000 adults, while economic growth was proxied by the real gross domestic product (RGDP) growth rate. The study relied on secondary data obtained from credible sources, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, and World Bank Development Indicators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, panel unit root tests, Johansen Fisher Panel Cointegration Test, and Panel Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) regression. The results indicate that the number of bank branches and bank borrowers have a significant positive impact on economic growth, whereas ATMs and current account holders exhibit a significant negative effect. These findings suggest that while expanding physical banking infrastructure and credit access support economic growth, digital banking access and current account proliferation may not automatically translate into growth unless accompanied by targeted financial inclusion strategies. The study concludes that effective policy interventions are required to optimize the benefits of financial inclusion and recommends the strategic deployment of banking resources, particularly to underserved populations, to enhance Nigeria’s economic performance.

This study focused on unethical accounting practices and it’s effects on financial reporting quality in Nigeria. I specifically examined the roles of institutions, and regulatory bodies in addressing these issues geographically, our sample was drawn from Nigeria. The study employs a quantitative research design. The study particularly used the survey design in collecting data from professional accountants on the effects of unethical accounting practices including Revenue Manipulation, Expense Misclassification, Asset Misstatement, and Earnings Management on financial reporting quality in Nigeria. The type of questionnaire used contains structured questions and a
rating scale of 5-point likert in section B and C denoted as l-Strongly Agree;2-Agree;3-Not sure;4-Disagree;5-Strongly disagree. The data collected were analysed using both
descriptive and inferential statistics. The research hypothesis were tested utilizing regression analysis in order to achieve the current study objectivs. These findings imply that all four unethical accounting practices have a significant negative impact on financial transparency, stakeholder trust, and regulatory compliance. In line with the findings, it is recommended that regulatory bodies should enforce stricter regulations to curb unethical accounting practices, and also companies should establish robust internal mechanisms to detect and prevent fraudulent accounting practices.