Moderating effect of firm attributes on sustainability reporting quality of listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined moderating effect of firm attributes on sustainability reporting quality of oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Five dimensions of the firm attributes were considered, namely; firm size, firm age, firm leverage, firm liquidity and board side. The methodology adopted was ex post facto and content analysis. From a total population a sample of 20 top oil and gas companies were drawn using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected from secondary sources, mainly from annual reports and accounts of the selected oil and gas companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group as at 2023. The study employed regression analysis to ascertain the direction and magnitude of the association. The findings revealed that firm size, firm leverage, firm liquidity and board size have positive and significant relationship with sustainability reporting quality while firm age has negative effect on sustainability reporting quality. The study concludes that firm size, firm leverage, firm liquidity and board size are significant determinants of sustainability reporting quality in oil and gas companies. The study recommended a better environmental legislation and enforcement in addition to a unified framework and standard for sustainability reporting. Therefore, firm attributes with positive outcomes used in this study should be profoundly invested upon and the regulating agencies of government in view of the role they played in ensuring that companies act responsibly towards social, economic and environment by making sustainability reporting quality.