Uwalomwa Uwuigbe

This paper examined the effects of value relevance of financial statements on firms share price in Nigeria. In achieving the objectives of this research, the fact book from the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market and the audited financial statement of listed banks spanning the period 2010-2014 were used. Also, a total of 15 listed banks in the Nigerian stock exchange market were selected and analyzed for the study using the purposive sampling method. However, in analyzing the research hypotheses, the study adopted the use of both descriptive statistics and the use of Fixed Effects Panel data method of data analysis technique. Findings from the study showed that a significant positive relationship existed between earnings per share (EPS) and Last day share price (LDSP). The study recommends the need for banks in the country to improve on the quality of earnings reported, since it has a stronger ability to explaining share prices of firm.

Keywords: value relevance, financial statements, Nigerian, earnings per share, last day share, price, book value per share, accounting information.
JEL Classification: M41, G21

The quality of financial report and the extent to which investors rely on them to forecast future earnings is dependent on the accounting standards employed. The impact of IFRS adoption on earnings predictability of listed banks in Nigeria was examined in this study considering a sample of 11 listed banks in Nigeria. Categorically, data were obtained from the financial statement 2013 to 2014 (post-adoption period) and 2010 to 2011 (pre-adoption period). The data obtained were analyzed using regression on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found a decrease in the ability of current earnings to predict future earnings after the adoption period. Thus, IFRS adoption has a negative impact on earnings predictability. The study further suggested that regulatory bodies of the banking sector should enforce strict adherence to IFRS procedures and principles, as well as put in place measures that will improve investors’ protection.

This study investigated the influence of Corporate governance on the timeliness of financial reports of listed banks in Nigeria. In order to provide answers to the research questions raised in this study, data were generated from the annual report of the listed banks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange considering the period 2008–2015. The study used Board size, Board Independence and Foreign Executives on the board as proxies for corporate governance. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and panel data regression analysis. It was observed that board size had a non-significant negative relationship with the timeliness of financial reports. Also, the study observed that board independence also had a non-significant negative relationship with the timeliness of financial reports. Finally, it was observed that foreign executives on the board had a significant positive relationship with the timeliness of financial reports. The study thus recommends that the existing legal framework in Nigeria should be developed that clearly specifies the rights and obligations of a bank, its management and, of course, other stakeholders.

This study examined the impact of corporate diversity on corporate social environmental disclosure of registered manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study considered both industrial and consumer goods firms, respectively, consisting a total of 37 firms. A total of 17 firms was selected for this study using purposive random sampling spanning the period 2012–2016. While the content analysis technique was engaged to ascertain the extent of corporate social environmental disclosure, the study adopted the following variables (board size, foreign directors, and gender) as measures for corporate diversity. Findings from the study revealed that board size, foreign directors and gender had a significant positive influence on the extent of corporate social environmental disclosure of the selected firms. On the other hand, the presence of an independent director and non-executive director had an insignificant positive influence on corporate social environmental disclosure. Thus, the study recommends that a large and diverse board with experience, expertise and women involvement would enhance mandatory environmental audit and environmental grievance mechanism report, and if necessary, an ecological committee would be established, and also community leader on the board would contribute enormously to the going concern of the business.

The study investigated Corporate Social Environmental Reporting and its association with stock prices (using market price per share as at the financial year end) among listed firms in Nigeria. The study used a cross-sectional research design comprising 50 publicly listed companies across various sectors for the period of five years (2011–2015). For the selected firms, the annual report was used to collect the data. This research utilizes the panel data regression in analyzing the influence of the independent variable (measured by corporate social and environmental expenditure) on the dependent variable measured using the market price per share) for the respective years. Also, in an attempt to examine the relatively market price per share across the sampled industries, the study made use of the one-way analysis of variance; while the Granger causality test was also conducted to ascertain whether bi-directional relationships exist between explanatory variable and the dependent variable (i.e. corporate social and environmental expenditure and market price per share). Findings from the study revealed that the association between corporate social and environmental expenditure and the market price of the firm (when considered in aggregate) is not significant. The result from the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that the market price per share is significantly different across the industries.

This paper investigates factors that may impact foreign direct investment in Nigeria. It seeks to establish the role of taxation (corporate tax) for foreign direct investment in Nigeria. Annual time series data derived from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development covering a period of 31 years (1985–2015) were used for this study. The variables considered in the study include FDI, corporate tax, exchange rate, inflation rate, real gross domestic product (RGDP). They were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Johansen Co-Integration model and Unit Root Test. Findings from this research observed that a negative relationship exists between corporate taxation and FDI. Also, the study observed that corporate tax have a significant impact on FDI and there exists a long-run relationship between the two variables.

This research empirically looked at Enterprise Risk Management impact on accounting quality of selected listed firms in the Nigerian financial sector. The study engaged the use of content analysis of the selected listed firms’ annual financial reports and corporate websites in determining the ERM disclosure index and its impact on accounting quality for a period of five years (pre-ERM period) (2007–2011) and another five years period (post-ERM period) (2013–2017). In attaining the proposed objectives, the study employed the panel Generalized Method of Moments estimator to test the hypotheses and find out the relationship between the variables. The study observed from the findings that there is no significant association between enterprise risk management and accounting quality during the pre-ERM period. This study adds to the body of knowledge in the area of corporate reporting, risk disclosure, risk management and accounting quality in emerging economies especially the Sub-Saharan African countries.

This paper aims to explore the impact of gender diversity on firms’ sustainability responsiveness in ensuring collective drive toward achieving sustainable development goals (agenda) for Nigeria. This study explored female engagement from three major platforms, namely women as directors, management team leaders, and female workforce. The data used to conduct this study were derived from the annual reports of the sampled banks spanning through the period of 2013–2016. However, while data for this study were analyzed using EViews statistical tool, the sustainability reporting data were ascertained using the content analysis method. The outcome of this study depicts that female directors, female workforce, and women in the management team all had an adverse and positive association with sustainability reporting. However, this association was all insignificant. This further buttresses that gender diversity was not the major driving force behind the sustainability reporting of the sampled banks in Nigeria. This is because the sector is highly regulated. Hence, the study recommends that notwithstanding the outcome, in attaining the sustainable development goals (SDGs), there is a need to have more female representation on the strategic position of authority.

Performance measurement innovations (PMI) provide frameworks for the improvement of organizational performance. While developed economies have widely accepted PMI, little is known about their design and use in developing economies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the design and use of PMI and organizational outcomes among listed firms in Nigeria. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was adopted for the analysis using cross-sectional survey data comprising 126 corporate managers in the sampled listed companies. The results showed that all the path coefficients for design of PMI and customer perspective (β = 0.325, p < 0.0001), financial (β = 0.314, p < 0.0001), internal business process (β = 0.346, p < 0.0001), and learning and growth perspectives (β = 0.367, p < 0.0001) were significantly positive. This suggests that designing performance measures to include a diversity of measurement incorporating financial and non-financial measures would positively affect organizational outcomes. Besides, diagnostic use was found to have a negative effect on customer perspective (β = –0.315, p < 0.01), while the interactive use (β = 0.411, p < 0.01) of PMI demonstrated a positive effect on it. This implies that using PMIs in a diagnostic manner brings about a negative image of the customer perspective, but it is divergent for interactive use.

Acknowledgment
The authors sincerely appreciate Covenant University, Nigeria, for sponsoring this publication.

This study explored the influence of the governance cost on financial service efficiency in Nigeria. The recurrent collapse of reputable companies and banks due to agency problems have motivated this investigation. The study empirically sampled 40 financial service firms from the 50 firms registered on the stock market. The study adopted an ex-post-facto research design. Data was collected using secondary sources from the firms’ annual reports to determine the influence the governance cost has on Nigeria’s financial service efficiency for nine years (2012–2020). Also, the study utilized the Panel Tobit regression to test the hypothesis. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to ascertain the aggregate governance cost, and the proxies were directors’ fees, auditors’ fees, CEO compensation, and chairman fee. At the same time, financial service analysis was derived using the Input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique under the constant return to scale (CRS) assumption. Consequently, findings from the study show a significant and positive influence of governance costs on the efficiency of financial services. The study, therefore, concludes that the current governance cost of the sampled firms drives efficiency within the sampled firms, and increasing the governance cost, based on the reviews on corporate governance structures, will not harm the efficiency of financial services. However, the consistent increase over time will harm efficiency. Thus, the study recommends an internal balance on the pay structure within the financial services.

Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge Covenant University for solely providing the platform for this research and for fully sponsoring the publication of this research work.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study investigates the influence of dividends, cash flow, and earnings on equity valuation within publicly traded companies in Nigeria from 2019 to 2023, a timeframe characterized by macroeconomic volatility, currency devaluation, and regulatory changes. Utilising panel data from 22 enterprises across various industries and employing fixed effects regression models, this study aims to determine which financial determinants have the most substantial impact on equity valuation. The research results provide evidence of earnings having a significant positive relationship with equity valuation and a strong correlational figure (coefficient = 3.52, p < 0.01). This proves that they are one of the major factors affecting valuation. On the other hand, free cash flow and dividend payments had a negative but statistically finite impact (p > 0.05), indicating that the impact on the investor’s valuation decision is weakened during times of economic uncertainty. Moreover, equity value also positively depends on firm size. Additionally, the value of R-squared, 0.98 in the fixed effects model, shows a high level of dependability of the analysis conducted. Based on these findings, the study suggests that to improve market valuation, Nigerian firms should focus on long-term, sustainable earnings growth and strategic reinvestment, rather than dividend payments. These results provide important insight for policymakers, business leaders, and investors who struggle with emerging market valuation in countries like Nigeria.