Does board gender diversity affect financial reporting quality in Nigeria?

This study examines the relationship between board gender diversity and financial reporting quality among publicly listed firms in Nigeria. Using a panel dataset of 152 firms over the period 2015-2024, we employ accruals quality as a measure of financial reporting quality and multiple dimensions of board gender diversity. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between board gender diversity and financial reporting quality, suggesting that gender-diverse boards enhance the credibility and transparency of financial reports. This effect is robust after controlling for firm-specific characteristics, including firm size, profitability, leverage, liquidity, firm age, growth opportunities, institutional ownership, board independence, audit committee expertise, and audit quality. The results contribute to the ongoing discourse on corporate governance reforms in emerging markets and provide empirical evidence in support of gender diversity initiatives on corporate boards. The study has significant implications for policymakers, regulators, and corporate stakeholders in Nigeria and other emerging economies that aim to enhance financial reporting quality through effective governance mechanisms.