THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN THE NIGERIA FINANCIAL SYSTEM
ABSTRACT The Project is on the Impact of corporate governance in the Nigerian financial system. The objectives of the study were: to identify the principles of corporate governance in the Nigerian financial system; to evaluate the challenges of corporate governance in the Nigerian financial system; to identify why corporate governance is relevant in the Nigerian financial system. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. A total number of 327 copies of questionnaire were administered and 300 were collected and analyzed. Statistical tools for analyses include, tables, percentages, bar charts and chi-square. The findings indicate that rights of share holders, transparency and adequate disclosure of information are some of the principles of corporate governance; Inadequate management capacity and inadequate financial controls are some of the challenges of corporate governance. The study concludes that; there is high level of malpractice in the Nigerian financial system; inadequate operational and financial controls affect the Nigerian financial system. The study from its findings made recommendations such as organizations should ensure that board members are qualified for their positions and that organizations should conduct corporate governance in a transparent manner
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Corporate governance are processes and structures by which business and affairs of an institution are directed and managed in order to improve long term shareholder value by enhancing corporate performance and accountability, while taking into consideration the interest of other shareholder. Corporate governance is building credibility, ensuring transparency and accountability and maintaining an effective channel of information disfiguration that would foster good corporate governance. Corporate governance that entails an integration of laws, regulations and practice of integrity in corporations aids in mobilizing both foreign and local capital. Nigeria needs to develop a mechanism that will attract foreign investors. Differences in culture and values will influence corporate governance laws and practices because of the theory of path dependence.
In Nigeria and all market based economies the promulgation of good investment or corporate law is significant for attracting foreign private capital. Law creates a climate for the operations of markets in which entrepreneurship, efficiency and growth will be encouraged.
Legislation on corporate governance in Nigeria has followed a pattern laid down. The various laws are made to regulate the practice of a particular trade or profession in order to protect investors and ensure a sustainable business environment. In Nigeria, we have the Central Bank of Nigeria Act (1991), the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991 as amended, Investment and Security Act (ISA) 1999, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (NDIC) 1985 as amended and other laws. However, the basic law governing all companies operating in Nigeria is the companies and Allied matter Act (CAMA) 1990.
The Act provides that the board of directors of a company has the duty to prepare financial statements of the operations of the company during its financial year which must and at a specified period. The five year financial summary of the company must be prepared in order to chart the progress of the company. The five year financial summary of the company must be prepared in order to display the progress of the company.
The law requires that the company’s external auditors appointed by the Directors and approved at the AGM by the shareholders. Employers of the company are not allowed to act as auditors. In the case of a bank, no person who has any interest in the bank other than a depositor is a firm in which a director of a bank has interest as a director or partner, who is indebted to the bank, shall be an auditor. The CBN must approve the appointment of any firm or a person as an auditor of a bank as provided for in the BOFIA. The Audit committee made up of equal number of directors and representatives of the shareholders shall examine and make recommendations to the AGM based on its findings.
All companies that operate in Nigeria should file their annual venture to the corporate affairs Commission (CAC) which registers all companies. In respect of the capital market, all accredited capital market operators must file both quarterly and annual return to SEC. All licensed banks and other financial institutions must also render regular return to the CBN and NDIC. All insurance companies are expected to submit regular returns in the prescribed format to National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). Also the financial statements of the company must be audited and certified by approved external auditors.
The fact that share holders of the company. Corporate governance is a term that is commonly used to describe the way business organizations are managed. The organisations may be for profit or not-for-profit. Either way, the enshrined in certain objectives) and the way its activities are managed should enhanced those objectives.
In very broad terms, corporate governance covers every aspect of the organizational set-up, right from how resources are generated up to how they are deployed and utilized. Good corporate governance requires judicious and prudent management of resources, both internally and from the social responsibility perspective. For instance, if a chief executive officer overpays himself or herself, it is in violation of good practice of corporate governance. This indeed was why the erstwhile boss of the New York stock exchange (Richard Grasso) lost his job – he gave himself a pay packet of US$140million per annum!
The same violation would count against a bank executive who hires a relative of his/hers for the sole purpose of facilitating easy access to the organizations resources, beyond normal entitlement, or where it is done with intent to defraud the organization. In which case, corporate governance also concerns the recruitment process – whether it is fair and allows the organization to attract and retain the most suitable caliber of people for its type of business.
Corporate governance thus requires that all things done in organizations (profit or not-for-profit) must be aimed at achieving the organizational objectives. Naturally, the test of every action or decision rests on its contribution to organizational objective, or otherwise. Where a decision or action vitiates or compromises the corporate objectives, especially when it is done deliberately, a return of poor corporate governance is given.
The external dimension to corporate governance also requires that if a decision enhances corporate objective to the detriment of public good, then there is poor corporate governance. This immediately makes the issue relevant at both the micro (i.e individual) and macro (societal) levels. The general mood is that good corporate governance at the individual level aggregates into the same at the macro level.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The financial system of the Nigeria financial system is pivotal to the growth of other sectors of the economy. Therefore the absence of corporate governance in the financial service industry will no doubt adversely affect the economic development of the country. The unethical business practice and weak regulatory framework show lack of corporate governance among financial institutions in the country. This created lose of confidence in the banking sector and consequence of mass withdrawal of deposits by banks customers. The recent crises in the banking sector is a manifestation of inadequate and ineffective corporate governance. There were alleged wrong doing of bank chief executives, poor or non-existent collaterals, weak processes and procedures and lack of rigorous process for granting of loan facilities. Based on the above scenario, the central Bank of Nigeria sacked the managing directors and executive directors of five banks in the country (www.cenbank.org.2009). Additionally, lack of corporate governance results in bank liquidation and withdrawal of operating licenses. Thus, the study intends to investigate the role of corporate governance in the Nigerian financial system.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The specific objectives of the study include the following:
1. To identify the principles of corporate governance in the Nigerian financial system.
2. To evaluate the challenges of corporate governance on the Nigerian financial system.
3. To identify why corporate governance is relevant to the Nigerian financial system.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What are the principles of corporate governance in the Nigerian Financial system?
- What are the challenges of corporate governance to the Nigerian Financial System?
- Why is corporate governance relevant to the Nigerian Financial System?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
To guide this study in achieving its objectives, The following null and alternate hypotheses are formulated.
1. Ho : Rights of shareholders, transparency and adequate disclosure of information are not some of the principles of corporate governance.
H1: Rights of shareholders, transparency and adequate disclosure of information are some of the principles of corporate governance.
2. Ho: Inadequate management capacity and inadequate financial controls are not some of the challenges of corporate governance on the Nigerian Financial System.
H1: Inadequate management capacity and inadequate financial controls are some of the challenges of corporate governance on the Nigerian Financial System.
3. Ho: Corporate governance is not relevant to the Nigerian financial system because it stipulates judicious and prudent management of resources both internally and from social responsibility perspective.
H1: Corporate governance is relevant to the Nigerian financial system because it stipulates judicious and prudent management of resources both internally and from social responsibility perspective.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
To the shareholders, the study would enable them to know whether an organization is viable. It would enable the management to look inwards whether they are complying with laid down rules and regulations that were set by management and other regulatory bodies. To employees good corporate governance would enable them to know their stake in business. It is to ensure that they get better conditions of service and that their salaries
and wages are paid regularly. And moreover the security of the job is assured. Customers of banks are assured that they receive interest on their deposits and equally find out whether there is normal bank charges on interest on loans. Again it would make top management and policy makers to introduce appropriate and better policy guidelines which would have favourable impact on the economy.
- SCOPE OF STUDY
The scope of this research consist of the principles of corporate governance, Challenges of corporate governance, Relevance of corporate governance, etc. The study was carried out in First Bank of Nigeria Plc, AICCO Insurance Plc, United for Africa Plc, Union Bank Plc and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Plc within Enugu metropolis.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study has the following constraints.
Time
The researcher does not have sufficient time to carry out this study. There was constraint of time in going to places where data and information relevant to the study could be obtained.
Finance
Such an empirical research demands much money for its successful completion. Much money was required to cover transportation costs and materials used for the study.
Attitude of the Respondents
Some of the respondents were unwilling to corporate with the researcher because they felt they would not benefit from the study and equally have the mind set that the secret of the organization will be exposed.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Corporate Governance:
Corporate governance is a system of structuring, operating and controlling a company, be it a bank or non-bank with a view towards attaining long term strategy to maximize shareholders wealth and satisfy other stakeholders. (employees, depositors, suppliers, other customers and other stakeholders.
Nigerian financial system
The Nigerian Financial system is the hub of financial institutions, financial instruments and financial markets.
Financial markets
The financial markets are markets which performs the essential function of bringing together those who have funds and those who wish to borrow to finance production and consumption. Thus the markets consist of money and capital markets.
Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are issued by financial institutions in order to acquire funds from the public such as stocks, shares and bonds.
Money market
The money market deals in short term instruments with maturities ranging from one to two years.
Capital Markets
The capital market is the markets for dealing in longer term loanable funds.
The Central Bank of Nigeria The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the apex regulatory authority in the Nigerian financial system
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