Corporate Governance Reforms and the Quality of Financial Information of Listed Non-Financial Services Firms in Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing demand for high quality financial information by the relevant users of financial report has become a serious concern and inevitable on the management of listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria. The primary objective of this study is to examine the nexus between corporate governance reforms and the quality financial information of listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria. Using an ex-post facto as the research design for the study, data was obtained from the secondary sources through the extraction method from the annual financial reports and accounts of the listed firms for 276 firm-year observations, from 2018 to 2023 period. Out of the seventy-five (75) listed non-financial services firms in Nigerian Exchange Group as at 31st December, 2018, a sample size of fourty-six (46) listed firms were used with aid of purposive filter sampling technique. The Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) regression was used as the model estimation technique for the study. Based on the regression analysis, it was found that board size, assurance services and transparency have positive significant impact on financial information quality of listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria. However, sustainability was statistically found to have insignificant impact on quality of financial information of listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that the board of directors of listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria ensure that more members are nominated to participate in the board’s decision. This is because of the fact that larger board sizes are more likely to create avenue for cross-fertilization of ideas thereby, making decisions that can safeguard, uphold and enhance the quality of the financial information of the listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria. The results also underscore the relevance of corporate governance codes and their impacts on FIQ and transparent disclosure. This study offers policy implications to regulatory agencies and standard-setters in their oversight function over the quality of financial information disclosed in annual reports.