Firm Performance, Corporate Governance Mechanisms and CEO Turnover: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of firm performance and internal governance mechanisms on CEO turnover decision. The sample of the study is all Nigerian non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from year 2011 to 2015 consisting of 72 cases of CEO turnover. Using logistic regression analysis, this study provides evidences that poor accounting-based performance (ROA) and low engagement of female directors in corporate boards do increase the probability of CEO turnover. Furthermore, firms dominated with foreign ownership and those with independent board nominating committee are swifter in removing their CEOs. However, this study fails to support the argument that firms with large board size and those that are dominated by managerial ownership, help to enhance the monitoring practices, which ought to sanction underperformed CEOs with dismissal. Consequently, this study recommends that the Nigerian government should enact a legislation on gender quota to ensure that more female directors are appointed to the boards and as well encourage more foreign ownership in the Nigerian corporate landscape by attracting foreign investment into the economy via favourable policies. This paper contributes to the literature concerning CEO succession in developing markets with poor corporate governance structure such as Nigeria.