Board gender diversity and corporate voluntary disclosures of Nigerian firms

Abstract

Purpose - The main objective of this paper was to examine the relationship between gender diversity and voluntary disclosure practice of listed firms in Nigeria.

Methodology - The study used a survey design that is cross-sectional. Data were obtained from content analysis of the finance reports of 68 companies listed on the Nigerian stock exchange as at December 2021 and was analyzed a log-linear regression.

Findings - It was found that female CEOs, female heading risk and audit committees of the board as well as gender diversity and number of females on board matter significantly in explaining variation in corporate voluntary disclosure. However, female heading remuneration committee does not matter in voluntary disclosure.

Originality - this study adds to the literature on gender diversity and voluntary disclosure by testing the relationship between women heading various board committees especially, audit, remuneration, finance and women COE as well as total number of women and voluntary disclosure using data from Nigeria. It was concluded that feminist virtues such as modesty, transparency and care for others enhance disclosure of corporate information that are not necessarily required by company law.