EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND « GOVERNANCE ON CORPORATE PERFORMANCE OF LISTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The main objective of the paper is to examine the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) on corporate performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The purpose of this research is to investigate the link between ESG and corporate performance of the manufacturing firms that are sensitive in Nigerian environment. The study choice will be of quantitative approach using panel data method. The data was extracted from financial statement of thirty two (32) listed manufacturing firms in the Nigeria Stock Exchange as at December 2016 when the data available and analyzed using STATA. The finding and conclusion of the study indicate that environmental practices in Nigeria are insignificant and negatively correlated with corporate financial performance. However, environmental social and governance practice positively and insignificantly influence corporate financial in Nigeria. Based on the conclusion, the study recommend that, the quest for eco-system in developing nation like Nigeria is still a mirage and it is evidence in this study the poor extent of environmental social and governance disclosure result. Therefore, there is need for all the stakeholders, managers, investors, policy makers and government for corporate involvement and attention are growing but arguably remains in its infancy. Thus, companies need to exercise a good social practice continuously as it could enhance the employment quality, health and safety, training and development, diversity, human rights, community agitation and product responsibility, which in turn could generate long-term stakeholder’s value. The policy makers and management of companies and stakeholders as guidelines to implement ESG practices