CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM THE NIGERIAN BANKING SECTOR

Abstract

This study investigates the extent to which corporate governance (Corporate governance was captured by board diversity) influences the banking sector performance in Nigeria (Performance was captured by market share and employees’ satisfaction). The survey design was used in the study, which involved administering structured questionnaires to management staff at three Nigerian banks. Two hypotheses were developed and evaluated based on the study's objectives. The research was done by using information gathered from chosen employees of three Nigerian banks. The study used charts to analyse the demographic data, and regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis using SPSS version 25. The findings reveal that board diversity significantly influence market share of the Nigerian banking sector. The R-Square indicates that 40.8% change in market share is accounted for by board diversity. Furthermore, the findings from the test of the second hypothesis indicate that board diversity significantly influences employees’ satisfaction of the Nigerian banking sector. The R-Square indicates that 61.1% change in employees’ satisfaction is accounted for by board diversity. One can conclude that board diversity is an important determinant of the banking sector market share and employees’ satisfaction. Therefore, it is recommended that Nigerian banks should strive towards having a diversified board, which cut across ethnic groups, race and gender. The regulator (Central Bank of Nigeria) should put policies in place that will emphasize the diversity of banks’ board