IMPLICATIONS OF POOR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICE ON BANKING SYSTEM STABILITY IN NIGERIA

The broad objective of this study is to investigate the implications of poor corporate governance practice on the banking system stability in Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; examine the effect of board composition on the banking system stability in Nigeria; to evaluate the effect of board size on the banking system stability in Nigeria; to ascertain the effect of bank size on the banking system stability in Nigeria. To achieve these objectives, ex-post facto research design and panel regression analysis were adopted. The dependent variable is non-performing loan to total assets and the independent variables are board composition, board size, bank size, and net income; the data generated from individual bank audited financial reports were analyzed using panel regression models. With respect to the analyses done, the following findings were made at 5 percent level of significance, the study accepted the first alternate hypothesis that board composition has no significant effect on banking system stability in Nigeria. For the second hypothesis, the study accepted the second null hypothesis and rejected the alternate hypothesis that board size has significant effect on banking system stability in Nigeria. The study rejected the third hypothesis which states that bank size has no significant effect on banking system stability in Nigeria. The implication of these findings is that when the composition of the board increases, it affects the banking system stability so much as it increases the allowances to be paid thereby increasing the expenses to be incurred by banks. It was also seen that stability of the banking system does not really rely on the size of a bank. Higher number of non- executive independent directors promotes rational decisions and creates value for the shareholders. The role of independent directors is very important and improves the value of a bank as it shows that they can monitor the bank and help the managers to take unbiased decisions. Based on the above findings, it was recommended that the regulatory and supervisory authorities should monitor banks closely to ensure that banks comply with the corporate governance codes especially when it has to do with board size since it has a significant effect on stability of the banking system and board of directors should ensure the implementation of existing regulation such as lending exposure to an individual and make corporate governance practices a priority for the banks.