Liquidity Management Practices of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of liquidity management practices among Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study made use of primary data and the population of the study comprised of 4,460 registered Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Lagos State based on the Nigerian government contacts database (2015). Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 367 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises was computed for questionnaire administration. In each Small and Medium Enterprises that was randomly sampled, questionnaires were administered to the respondents; Owner, Supervisor or Financial Manager who provided the necessary information on liquidity management practices of their firms. Data collected from the study were analysed with the use of appropriate descriptive statistics. The result of the study revealed that SMEs engaged in liquidity management practices such as cash budget (97%), bank account operation (77%), investment in current assets (67%), and making current assets available for immediate conversion into cash (71%). Use of mechanisms in the realisation of sundry debtors (64%) and collection of debts due (64%). The study, therefore, recommended that regulatory authorities should put in place an appropriate policy with compliance measures to check high volume cash transactions and cash hoarding prevalent in the economy.