Corporate Governance and Organisational Performance: Analysis of Nigeria Stock Exchange Listed Companies

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.