Firm Performance and Corporate Disclosure Level of Listed Companies in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between firm performance (proxied by profitability and liquidity) and corporate disclosure in Nigerian listed firms. The data used in the study were obtained from the annual reports of 60 companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange from the various sectors of the country’s economy. The study covers the post International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) adoption period of three years (2012 – 2014). Corporate disclosure (dependent variable) was disaggregated into mandatory, voluntary and total disclosure. The data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Findings from the descriptive statistics reveal that, contrary to prior findings, there is a steady improvement in mandatory disclosure by Nigerian companies since the country’s adoption of IFRSs. However, voluntary disclosure still remains relatively low. The regression results show no significant relationship between profitability and the three components of corporate disclosure. But liquidity shows a significant positive relationship with mandatory and total disclosure.  The combined effect of profitability and liquidity shows no significant relationship with any of the components of corporate disclosure. The findings suggest that improved performance of companies does not necessarily induce them to disclosure more information as widely reported by previous researchers. These findings notwithstanding, the decision to disclose sufficiently and timely must be accorded priority attention by companies, considering the critical role of adequate and timely information disclosure in the global marketplace.