BOARD PHYSIOGNOMIES AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURE OF LISTED OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN NIGERIA

This study examines the impact of board characteristics on corporate social responsibility disclosure of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria for the period of ten years from 2010-2019. The study used census sampling technique to arrive at sample size of nine (9) oil and gas firms listed on the floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 2019. Data were extracted from annual reports and accounts of the sampled firms, the data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis using STATA13. The multiple regressions result reveals that foreign directors on the board has positive insignificant impact on corporate social responsibility disclosure while board independence, board meetings and women director on the board have a positive and significant impact on corporate social responsibility disclosure of the sample firms. Based on the findings, the study concludes that board independence, board meetings and women director on the board improved corporate social responsibility disclosure of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria. Based on the findings and conclusion, its therefore recommends among others, that the management of listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria should maintain proportions of board independence as this will increase their investment in corporate social responsibility. This is because the presence of independent directors on the board will increase the board’s objectivity and its ability to represent multiple points of view of the firm’s role.