Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Performance: A Comparative Analysis of Listed Deposit Banks and Insurance Companies in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.1402.20076Keywords:
Board gender diversity, Corporate Governance, Corporate Performance, Deposit Money Banks, Insurance CompaniesAbstract
This study examines the relationship between board gender diversity and corporate performance among listed Nigerian deposit money banks and insurance companies. Using descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and correlation analysis, it compares female board representation and its effect on firm performance in both sectors. Between 2020 and 2024, female board representation in listed banks rose from 25% to 38%, while in 2024, insurance companies averaged 30%. Both sectors showed a steady increase in gender diversity from 2020 to 2024, but at different rates. However, the analysis found no strong or statistically significant link between female board representation and corporate performance in either sector. These findings contrast with some previous Nigerian studies but reflect the mixed results found elsewhere in Africa. While board gender diversity grew substantially, its direct effect on firm performance remains inconclusive and differs between banks and insurance companies.
References
Abdullah, S. N., Ismail, K. N. I. K., & Nachum, L. (2024). Board gender diversity and firm performance: The moderating role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure. Journal of Business Research, 145, 156-169.
Al-Najjar, B., Salama, A., & Abed, A. (2025). Gender and cultural diversity on boards: their impact on internationalisation. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 36(13), 2305-2341. doi:10.1080/09585192.2025.2550765
Aladejebi, O. (2021). Board gender diversity and performance of listed deposit banks in Nigeria. European Business & Management, 7(1), 14-23.
Anazonwu, H. O., Egbunike, F. C. & Gunardi, A. (2018). Corporate board diversity and sustainability reporting: A study of selected listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Indonesian Journal of Sustainability Accounting and Management, 2(1), 65-78.
CBN. (2014). Guidelines on gender policy in the Nigerian banking industry. Central Bank of Nigeria.
Chandrasekharan, C. V. (2012). Determinants of capital structure in the Nigerian listed firms. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, 1(2), 108-133.
Chien-Chiang, L. (2013). Insurance and real output: The key role of banking activities. Macroeconomic Dynamics 17(2),1-26.doi:10.1017/S1365100511000101.
Clarkson, M. E. (1995). A stakeholder framework for analyzing and evaluating corporate social performance. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 92-117.
Donaldson, T. & Preston, L. E. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65-91.
Esechie, E. T (2025). Financial Risk Management and Deposit Money Banks’ Performance in Nigeria: A Theoretical Review. International Journal Of Finance, Accounting And Management Studies, 1(8), 308-326. Retrieved from www.ijfams.com Page | 136
Scholar Publishing Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman Publishing Inc.
Fridhi , B. & Almutairi, N.N. (2025). Effect of Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards on The Financial Performance of Saudi Companies: A Survey Study. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government 23(10):868-886.doi:10.52152/801048
Garba, T., & Abubakar, B. A. (2014). Corporate board diversity and financial performance of insurance companies in Nigeria: An application of panel data approach. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 4(2), 257-277.
García‐Meca, E., García‐Sánchez, I. M., & Martínez‐Ferrero, J. (2015). Board diversity and its effects on bank performance: An international analysis. Journal of Banking & Finance, 53, 202-214.
Gyapong, E., Monem, R. M. & Hu, F. (2016). Do women and ethnic minority directors influence firm value? Evidence from post‐apartheid South Africa. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 43(3-4), 370-413.
Hamann, P. M. & Schiemann, F.(2021). Organizational performance as a set of four dimensions: An empirical analysis. Journal of Business Research,127,45-65,doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.01.012.
Imade, O. G. (2019). Board gender diversity, non-executive director's composition and corporate performance: Evidence from listed firms in Nigeria. African Journal of Business Management, 13(9), 283-290.
Insurance Industry Report. (2023). Nigerian insurance sector analysis. Nigerian Insurers Association.
Ishaq, M., Islam, Y. & Ghouse, G. (2021). Tobin’s Q as an Indicator of Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from Manufacturing Sector Firms of Pakistan. International Journal of Economics and Business Administration IX(1), 425-441.doi:10.35808/ijeba/683
Jacob, A.O. & Umoh, O. J. (2024). Driving Economic Growth: Financial Innovations In Nigeria's Multifaceted Emerging Markets. Business and Economics in Developing Countries (BEDC) 2(2), 57-64. doi:10.26480/bedc.02.2024.57.64
Jones, T. M. (1995). Instrumental stakeholder theory: A synthesis of ethics and economics. Academy of Management Review, 20(2), 404-437.
Imo, I. O. & Chilekezi, O. (2025). Information Asymmetry and Operational Risk in Non-Life Insurance Claims: The Moderating Role of Risk Management and Regulatory Environment in Emerging Markets. Research Journal of Management Practice, 5(7), 19-38. Retrieved from www.openjournals.ijaar.org
Kanter, R. M. (1977). Some effects of proportions on group life: Skewed sex ratios and responses to token women. American Journal of Sociology, 82(5), 965-990.
KPMG. (2024). Nigerian insurance industry outlook. KPMG Nigeria.
Konrad, A. M., Kramer, V. & Erkut, S. (2008). Critical mass: The impact of three or more women on corporate boards. Organizational Dynamics, 37(2), 145-164.
Kramer, V. W., Konrad, A. M., &Erkut, S. (2006). Critical mass on corporate boards: Why three or more women enhance governance. Wellesley Centers for Women.
Kwanbo, M. L. & Abdul-Qadir, A. B. (2013). Board composition, executive duality, and banks' performance in the post-consolidation era in Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 2(1), 1-17.
La Porta, R., Lopez‐de‐Silanes, F., Shleifer, A. & Vishny, R. W. (1998). Law and finance. Journal of Political Economy, 106(6), 1113-1155.
Scholar Publishing Marinova, J., Plantenga, J. & Remery, C. (2016). Gender diversity and firm performance: Evidence from Dutch and Danish boardrooms. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(15), 1777-1790.
Mitchell, R. K., Agle, B. R. & Wood, D. J. (1997). Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: Defining the principle of who and what really counts. Academy of Management Review, 22(4), 853-886.
Muller‐Kahle, M. I. & Wang, L. (2022). The risk and return of female board leadership in the governance of African firms. Journal of World Business, 57(4), 101327.
NAICOM. (2020). Market conduct guidelines for insurance institutions. National Insurance Commission.
Ogboi, C. & Enilolobo, O. S. (2018). Corporate board diversity and performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 8(1), 112-120.
Okonkwo, I. V., & Eche, A. O. (2019). Insurance market development and economic growth Nexus: Evidence from Nigeria. Cogent Economics & Finance, 7(1), 1-18.
Olga, D. & Irina, S. (2024). The Impact of Board Gender Diversity on Financial Performance at High-Performing and Low-Performing Firms. Journal of Business Management 22:52, doi:10.32025/JBM24003
Onyekwere, S. C., Wesiah, S. & Danbatta, S.N. ( 2019). The Relationship between Board Diversity and Corporate Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Five Selected Commercial Banks in Nigeria. International Journal of Finance and Banking Research 5(4), 76-90. doi:10.11648/j.ijfbr.20190504.13
Ouedraogo, A. (2018). Determinants of under-representation of women on boards of directors: An exploratory study of African public and private firms. Economics and Business Review, 4(18), 98-113.
Post, J. E., Preston, L. E. & Sachs, S. (2002). Redefining the corporation: Stakeholder management and organizational wealth. Stanford University Press.
Sahu, M., Alahdal,W. M., Pandey, D.K., Baatwah, S.R. & Bajaher, M.S. (2025). Board gender diversity and firm performance: Unveiling the ESG effect, Sustainable Futures, 9. doi:10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100493
Sanusi, L. S. (2012). Banking transformation and economic development. CBN Bullion, 36(4), 75-84.
Sener, I., & Karaye, A. B. (2014). Board composition and gender diversity: Comparison of Turkish and Nigerian listed companies. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, 1002-1011.
Temile, S. O., Jatmik, D. P., & Hidayat, S. (2018). Gender diversity, earnings management practices and corporate performance in Nigerian quoted firms. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 6(1), 23-37.
Torchia, M., Calabrò, A. & Huse, M. (2011). Women directors on corporate boards: From tokenism to critical mass. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(2), 299-317.
Ujunwa, A. (2012). Board characteristics and the financial performance of Nigerian quoted firms. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 12(5), 656-674.
Willows, G. & Van Der Linde, M. (2016). Women representation on boards: A South African perspective. Meditari Accountancy Research, 24(2), 211-225.
Yamamoto, K., Sato, Y. & Takeda, F. (2024). Board gender diversity and firm performance: Evidence from Japan. Asian Business & Management, 23(1), 87-109.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Aladejebi, Olufemi, Oshinowo Bamidele, Oladimeji Johnson Abiodun

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.