EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF BANKING SECTOR IN NIGERIA.

The research study considered the effect of corporate governance on performance of banking sector in

Nigeria. The increased incidence of bank failure in the recent period generated the current literature on

qualityof bank assets and also emphasized good governance as means of achieving banks objectives. This

study made use of secondary data obtained from the financial reports of nine (7) banks for a period of ten

(10) years (2008-2017). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The study supported the

hypothesis that corporate governance positively affects performance of banks. In conclusionthe study found

that a strong relationship exist between the Corporate Governance practices under study and the banks’

financial performance. Board size was found to negatively affect the financial performance of banks. There

was a positive relationship between board composition and banks financial performance. However, the most

critical aspect of board composition was the experience, skills and expertise of the board members as

opposed to whether they were executive or non-executive directors. Similarly, CEO Duality was found to

positively affect financial performance of banks. On CEO duality, the study found that separation of the role of

CEO and Chair positively influenced the financial performance of listed banks in Nigeria.