Impact of Corporate Governance on Non-Performing Loans of Nigerian Deposit Money Banks

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Corporate Governance (CG) variables of Board Size (BS), Board Composition (BC), Composition of Audit Committee (CAC) and Power Separation (PS) on Non-performing Loans of Nigerian Deposit Money Banks; with a view to finding out whether these CG variable can be useful in curtailing the incidence of non-performing loans that have bedeviled Nigerian Money Deposit Banks. Secondary data was used from fourteen (14) quoted banks on Nigerian Stock Exchange from 2005-2011. Using multivariate regression analysis, the study finds that corporate governance variables of BS, BC, CAC and PS have no significant impact on non-performing loans of Nigerian Deposit Money Banks. Hence, the study concludes that BS, BC, CAC and PS cannot be relied upon to check the rising figure of non-performing loans of Nigerian Deposit Money Banks. Therefore, we recommend that the oversight and monitoring functions of Central Bank of Nigeria should be strengthened to ensure adherence to rules and principles guiding the approval and monitoring of loans and advances.