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This paper aims to develop a conceptual and measurement framework for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure quality in Nigerian banks. It also aims to demonstrate how ESG disclosure quality can be distinguished from ESG disclosure quantity, ESG performance, ESG practices, ESG ratings and sustainability reporting. We employed a conceptual review and framework development approach by synthesising stakeholder theory, institutional theory, Nigerian sustainable banking regulation, international sustainability reporting standards and related banking literature. The materials analysed include the CBN Sustainable Banking Principles, SEC Sustainable Financial Principles, NGX Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines, Nigeria’s IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards adoption roadmap, IFRS S1/S2, GRI, TCFD, PCAF, the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision and literature on ESG disclosure, banking risk, financial stability and disclosure quality. The main findings of the study demonstrate that: (i) ESG disclosure quality is a distinct construct; and (ii) bank ESG disclosure quality should be assessed across environmental, social and governance dimensions. The paper proposes the ESG Disclosure Quality Index framework which provides a graded 0–5 scoring scale and three empirical model specifications for future panel data studies. The framework provides a basis for assessing ESG disclosure quality and examining its relationship with bank-level outcomes in Nigeria and comparable emerging market banking systems.               

The study investigated the challenges confronting preparation of financial report of selected state governments in Southwestern Nigeria. Financial reporting in the Nigerian public sector is marred by a host of challenges that hinder transparency, accountability and effective governance. The study used a descriptive survey research design and primary data were collected from three states of Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun through structured questionnaires. The target population consisted of the Office of the Accountant General and the Office of the Auditor General within government departments. The total population of the study was 763 individuals, including 276 participants in Ondo State, 256 participants in Ekiti State and 231 participants in Ogun State. The sample size was 262 participants, selected using the Taro Yamane formula. The online survey was completed with 100% validity and a reliability test coefficient of 0.929 using Cronbach's alpha statistics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study examined the lack of technical expertise, inadequate accounting systems, complex regulatory environment, transparency and accountability concerns, inadequate funding and political interference. To address these challenges, it was recommended that Nigeria must invest in capacity-building, modernize its technology infrastructure, establish effective regulatory mechanisms, enhance transparency measures, allocate adequate resources and safeguard financial reporting from political interference. By doing so, Nigeria can pave the way for accurate, credible financial reporting, fostering trust, good governance and economic development. 

Trade liberalization is a widely accepted policy for fostering economic growth, particularly in developing countries. Advocates argue that open economies, through increased competition, specialization, and access to global markets, outperform closed economies. However, the short-term effects on developing economies like Nigeria remain debated, especially within the manufacturing sector. Nigeria's trade policy has fluctuated between protectionism and openness, significantly influencing its manufacturing performance. Critics, drawing from dependency theory, argue that liberalization exposes weaker economies to exploitation by stronger nations, leading to trade imbalances and inhibiting industrial growth. This study investigates the nonlinear effects of trade liberalization on Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, addressing a gap in the literature by employing a quadratic approach to determine threshold effects. By incorporating a quadratic form of the trade variable, the study tests the hypothesis that trade liberalization initially boosts the manufacturing sector but results in diminishing returns as openness intensifies. The research is framed within the Laffer Curve of Trade, suggesting that beyond a certain threshold, excessive openness may harm the manufacturing sector. The AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is used to assess both short-run and long-run effects, with findings indicating a convex relationship between trade liberalization and manufacturing output, highlighting the critical importance of identifying optimal policy thresholds to maximize industrial growth. 

The study contributes to the literature on propane's prospects and viability for off-grid energy, implications for stakeholders, and alignment with sustainable energy goal 7. It examines the prospects of propane-powered off-grid electricity in the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI). The study assessed propane’s economic viability and environmental implications as a replacement for diesel (AGO). Specifically, the analyses included comparative levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), net present value (NPV) modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and carbon emissions estimation. The study found that the cost of energy from diesel (AGO) is 1.52 to 2.86 times of grid MYTO tariffs and 1.84 to 3.92 times of the MYTO tariffs for All-in LCOE. The average total LCOEs were 1.01 to 1.63 times for the commercial bank and 1.02 to 1.63 times for the residential estate. The LCOEs for the AGO generators ranged from $0.183 to $0.286 (fuel only) and $0.335 to $0.392 per kWh all-in. These comparative LCOEs are between 110% and 263.8% of the electricity tariff averages in the US (residential: $0.155/kWh and commercial: $0.127/kWh) and the UK (£0.245/kWh) and, accordingly, confirm the expensive nature of AGO-based electricity in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study found that propane-based off-grid energy is a viable substitute for AGO and cheaper than the current Band A tariff of N206.80KWh, with savings between 10.52% and 45.25%. The study also shows that propane is a cleaner and more efficient source of energy that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 13.8% and as high as 31.1% depending on the generator-load match efficiency with the associated monetized savings between $9.18 and $20.62 per MT CO2e. The study recommends government incentives and private sector investments towards adopting propane for off-grid electricity, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving Nigeria’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) plan, and promoting sustainable development.  

This research work examines the impacts of foreign aids and human capital on economic growth of African oil and non-oil producing countries. Adopting the time series data from 2000 to 2021, the study employs Westerlund Error Correction Based panel cointegration test to investigate the impacts of Physical Capital (FA, GCF, FDI), Human Capital (EDU, HLT) and Policy Variables (REV, EXR) on Gross Domestic Product growth rate (GDPgr). Findings from results of the study affirms that there is a long-term co-movement between the GDPgr and the explanatory variables (FA, GCF, FDI, EDU, HLT, REV, EXR) of both African oil and non-oil producing countries. The study also reveals that foreign aids are better effectively put into use in the African non-oil producing countries than in the oil producing countries. Findings in the study equally confirm that financial resources in the African non-oil producing countries are better efficiently spent on human capital and domestic investment than in the African oil producing countries. The study further shows that revenue generation and foreign exchange earnings stimulate growth better in the African oil producing countries than the non-oil countries counterparts in Africa.  

Financial product awareness is an efficient remedy for poverty reduction as against lack of money. However, a holistic literature on financial product awareness in the six Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria is scarce. Using data from a quarterly survey of households in Nigeria, this paper investigated the influence of financial literacy, Socioeconomic and demographic factors on saving behaviors of Nigerians, age 15 to 70. With a pool of methods, our finding supported the observation from similar economies, but revealed some differences as well. We observed that financial literacy and proximity to financial products and services among others are the most significant determinants of savings behaviors of Nigerians. It is fair to say financial awareness and factors that influences it are necessary for the formulation of strategies to increase the inclusion of more members of the society into the formal financial stream.

Does agricultural activity affect human mortality? This research paper provides an empirical analysis on this important question by separately regressing agricultural outputs and its components on human mortality rate in Nigeria over the period 1981–2019. Employing the autoregressive distributed lag estimator, a long run relationship exist between agricultural outputs and human mortality rate in Nigeria. Regarding the parameter estimates, findings showed that the indirect relationship between agriculture outputs and mortality is statistically insignificant in the long run. More so, in the short run, the current level of agriculture outputs reported a significant positive coefficient whereas the first lag has a significant negative parameter. Concerning the agriculture components, in the long run, fishing activity negatively and significantly influenced human mortality whereas forestry activity directly impacted on human mortality rates. The influence of both crop and livestock productions on mortality rate is not statistically established in the long run. The study therefore suggests the need for government to adopt pro-poor policies that is capable of improving investments in agricultural activities by both public and private sectors so as to curtail human mortality rate in the country.

This paper is driven by the vast influence oil money have on the current account balance of major oil producing countries in Africa and the role policy measures could play to soften these effects. Dwelling on the nonlinear techniques, two types of Threshold Regression were used to estimate data on 8 African countries from 1995-2019. The results show evidence of nonlinear impacts of oil revenue on the current account balances of the 8 countries. The nature of the impact relies significantly on the levels of the threshold variable. Precisely, the estimated threshold benchmark for financial development was 33.34; below this threshold the sensitivity of current account balance to crude-oil shocks is higher and the probability of policy measures to mitigate the effects is low and, beyond the threshold the sensitivity of current account balance to crude-oil shocks is low and the probability of policy measure to mitigate the effects is higher. The finding suggested among others that crude-oil shocks is not the primary problem of the current account imbalance of oil-exporting countries rather the nature of the domestic economic policy environment.

This study investigates the relationship between the three measures of manufacturing performance [manufacturing production growth rate (MPGR), share of manufacturing in GDP (SMGDP), capacity utilization rate (CUR)] and the variables of financial system stability [exchange rate (EXR), fiscal deficit (FD), lending rate (LR), saving rate (SR), consumer price index (CPI), bank loan to manufacturing sector (BLM)]. The study uses Johansen cointegration and Parsimonious error correction model as the estimation techniques. Findings from the results of the study reveals that there is a long-run relationship between the three measures of manufacturing performance (i.e. MPGR, SMGDP and CUR) and the variables of financial system stability in Nigeria during the period under review. Also, consumer price index (CPI) and lending rate (LR) have negative and significant impacts on manufacturing production growth rate (MPGR) in Nigeria. In addition, fiscal deficit (FD) and lending rate (LR) have significant and negative effect on share of manufacturing in GDP (SMGDP). Lastly, banks loan to manufacturing sector (BLM) has significant negative effect on capacity utilization rate (CUR) while exchange rate (EXR) has positive and significant impact on capacity utilization rate (CUR).

The presence of contradictory theories and unpredictable empirics calls for this paper to survey the outcome of board traits on financial operation of Nigeria banks. Financial performance of a firm is as important as the firm. Yet, very few studies have examined its impact by the board of directors in Nigeria. Data were obtained and perused using descriptive and inferential figures. Findings show that size of board has significant and constructive bearing on business piece. However, board composition takes undesirable significance. Meetings of board and gender failed to show significance. But, board member nationality and firm size show negative and significant effects. We added by exploring impacts of boards on financial performance. We asked firms to increase the size of the board and engage more independent directors and reduce the number of board diligence and size of the firm. The strong plus impact of board size and firm size on financial operations is an interesting result allowing for additional interrogation of why these behaviours.

The study described and explained forensic accounting and the incidence of fraud detection in Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to identify personal skills requirements and, assess the types of investigative techniques used in forensic accounting. A literature review was conducted to set up the conceptual and theoretical framework for the study. A quantitative approach was used by administering a structured questionnaire. A total of 101 investigators from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were used as sample for the study. We employed Jarque Bera statistics to conduct the analysis using the E views software. There is a significant relationship between forensic accounting personal skills; investigative techniques and fraud detection in Nigeria. The scope of the study was only in Nigeria and all samples were drawn from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The study concluded despite all fraudulent activities, forensic accounting is proffering solutions for fraud prevention and detection in Nigeria.  It was recommended for practitioners to engage in further training on forensic accounting personal skills and techniques.

Increase in losses borne by banks as a result of inadequate operational risk management practices and the adverse impact on banks’ financial performance has been a major concern to bank management and regulators. This study analysed the impact of operational risk management practices on the financial performance of commercial banks in Nigeria. 10-years (2008 - 2017) secondary data extracted from audited financial statements of selected commercial banks in Nigeria was used for the study. The data was analysed using the Linear Multiple Regression Model. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between operational risk management and the financial performance of banks. The findings revealed that sound operational risk management practices impact positively on the financial performance of banks. We, therefore, recommend that banks’ management should deploy adequate resources towards understanding operational risk to ensure sound operational risk management and improved financial performance of banks.

This study investigates how the development of human capital is related to economic growth in Nigeria from 1980 to 2015. Data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics. The study employed Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) to estimate the relationship among the variables used in this study which revealed that there is a positive long-run relationship among public expenditure on education and health, total school enrolment, gross capital formation, employment rate, life expectancy rate and economic growth. The study recommended that the government should put in place the required education and training policy that would guarantee quality schooling for different level of education. Government should also commit more funds to health sector to enhance human capital formation. It was also recommended there should be more pragmatic means to develop human capabilities.

<p><em>This paper gives an overview of the concept of macroeconomic stabilization and, its measurement, goals and policy instruments. It starts with a review of the concept, measurement and goals of macroeconomic policy and, the goals performance measurement. After this, the paper looks at macroeconomic policies and its instruments, and macroeconomic stabilization problems. The next section examines the applicability of the stabilization instruments under various economic conditions and, this section is followed by a conclusion.</em></p>

<p><em>Corporate governance is relevant in both developed and emerging economies. The study investigated the impact of corporate governance on organisational performance, using thirty (30) randomly selected listed companies in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in the year 2016. The study focused on three corporate governance variables (i.e., Board Size, Board Independence, CEO Duality/Tenure); and two performance variables - i.e., Returns on Asset (ROA) and Returns on Equity (ROE). The study does not cover the market measure performance variable of Tobin’s Q. The study is an empirical research, with analytical research design. Secondary data, extracted from published annual reports of selected quoted companies and NSE website, is used for the study. The findings revealed a positive correlation between board size, independence directors, and performance variables; but, showed a negative correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables. The result showed that number of directors was not positively related to performance in selected quoted companies in terms of ROA; but, it revealed a positive correlation between board size and performance in terms of ROE. It also showed that the correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables was negative on the two performance variables (ROA and ROE). Regarding relationship between CEO Duality and performance variables (ROA and ROE), the result showed that CEO Duality has a positive correlation with ROA; but had a negative relationship with ROE. Generally, the study revealed that adoption of sound corporate governance practices by listed companies can improve their performance. Companies can benefit from this improved corporate governance practices by way of increased investment from investors and reduced capital cost. Shareholders confidence would be enhanced with attendant improvement in shareholders wealth. The nation’s economy would also benefit from sound corporate governance practices by way of improved GDP. </em></p>

Increasing trend in Non-performing loans (NPLs) adversely affected availability of credits to economic agents in all sectors of the economy thereby constraining financial intermediation and economic activities. The study examined the trend and growth rates of NPLs in the Nigerian banking system during the major banking policy reforms regimes namely: pre-consolidation (1979 – 2004) and post consolidation era (2005 – 2014). Time series data collected were analyzed using descriptive and regression analyses. Results indicated irregular fluctuations in NPLs’ trend in both periods. This result suggested prevalent high credit risk and corresponding reduction in lending capability of banks in the economy. Regression estimates of NPLs’ trend in the two regimes showed significant negative growth rates.This implies that, financial policies implemented in the country yielded positive impacts over time. NPLs assumed an exponential growth rate of -1.39% and -15.55% during the pre and post consolidated eras respectively. An average exponential growth rate of -5.2% was obtained during the entire period. Quadratic trend analysis revealed that, increase influence of time variable significantly reduced NPLs during pre- consolidation regime and the entire period considered. However, this influence was stagnated during post consolidation period. Based on the result, it is recommended that, prudent lending coupled with swift and orderly clean-up of banking system loan portfolios should be adopted to decelerate NPLs trend and growth rate in Nigeria. Time is an important element in designing and implementing any banking and macroeconomic policy.

This paper examines the Nigerian economy and the tendency for its growth in the face of several socio-political challenges facing the country, which have hampered the rate of economic development in spite of the tremendous human and material resources inherent. The paper identifies the socio-political challenges to include corruption, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, politics and governance, among others. The central argument of the paper is that steady economic growth can be achieved and financial crisis mitigated in Nigeria, if the effects of socio-political challenges, which are the key factors that have contributed to the high poverty, unemployment and economic instability in the country, are minimised. To ensure economic growth and move the country forward politically and economically, government must be more accountable in managing the nation’s resources in order to avoid wastage, poverty and unemployment. Close attention should be given to those socio-political challenges in the formulation of policies that aimed at maintaining economic growth at a level commensurate with the country’s growth rate. This study put forward that government must be proactive in all issues relating to the socio-political challenges to prevent resource mismanagement, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and slow economic growth in future.

<p><em>The study examines the perceptions of the services of the micro finance Institutions by the women service users, and how the services of micro Institutions affect businesses of the beneficiaries of the micro credit loans. The research design for the study was the survey method. The instruments of data collection were structured questionnaires and in-depth interview. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered to the female participants, and senior management personnel of the micro credit institutions were interviewed. The cluster and simple random sampling were used to select the participants for the study. The leaders of registered unions were the informants.  The result reveals that the poor services and attitude of officials of micro finance institutions and other problems like the regressive tax regimes, harsh economic climate and patriarchy are negatively affecting the business ventures of the loan beneficiaries and by implication the goals of poverty reduction via micro credit scheme . The women beneficiaries are groaning under the burden of loan repayment and meeting other obligations as mothers and wives. This study is applicable in the context of social policy development at this time when social services delivery is not only poor but at dismal level. The need for gender sensitive and social development becomes imperative. It is critical to social work practice in the context of advocacy, empowerment programs, facilitating and initiating service delivery and Community organizing by social workers that will enhance the war against Poverty and other social impediments against women empowerment in Nigeria.</em></p>

The study examines the perceptions of the services of the micro finance Institutions by the women service users, and how the services of micro Institutions affect businesses of the beneficiaries of the micro credit loans. The research design for the study was the survey method. The instruments of data collection were structured questionnaires and in-depth interview. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered to the female participants, and senior management personnel of the micro credit institutions were interviewed. The cluster and simple random sampling were used to select the participants for the study. The leaders of registered unions were the informants.  The result reveals that the poor services and attitude of officials of micro finance institutions and other problems like the regressive tax regimes, harsh economic climate and patriarchy are negatively affecting the business ventures of the loan beneficiaries and by implication the goals of poverty reduction via micro credit scheme . The women beneficiaries are groaning under the burden of loan repayment and meeting other obligations as mothers and wives. This study is applicable in the context of social policy development at this time when social services delivery is not only poor but at dismal level. The need for gender sensitive and social development becomes imperative. It is critical to social work practice in the context of advocacy, empowerment programs, facilitating and initiating service delivery and Community organizing by social workers that will enhance the war against Poverty and other social impediments against women empowerment in Nigeria.

This study investigates the impact of bank recapitalization on real sector performance in Nigeria. Specifically, thestudy examines the direct effect (bank investment) and indirect effect (loans and advances to real sector) on realsector output growth between the period 1986 and 2012.This study departs from previous studies because weaggregate the three leading sectors (agriculture, manufacturing and building and construction) of the Nigerianeconomy to arrive at our real sector index. Also, having carefully subjected our data to necessary econometric testswe employed chow test for structural break to test for the existence of policy shift between bank capital base and loan to the real sector of the Nigerian economy as a result of bank recapitalisation policy .Similarly, OLS estimates was  used to determine the direct and indirect effect of bank capital base and real sector output growth. The results from structure break tests reveal that bank recapitalization policy causes policy shift in bank capital base and loan to real sector thus the policy is of significant impact to real sector performance .In corollary, the result from the OLS strongly indicates that bank capital base has significant effect on real sector output growth directly and indirectly. We then conclude that Nigerian banks should be adequately capitalised as to play active intermediateting roles expected of them in this modern and competitive global economy.