Corporate Governance Practices and Organisational Performance: A Study of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Kano State

This study examines corporate governance practices and their influence on organisational performance among selected manufacturing firms in Kano State, located in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. Corporate governance has gained renewed scholarly attention in recent years, particularly in the context of developing economies where institutional frameworks remain evolving and enforcement mechanisms are inconsistent. This research adopts a descriptive survey design, drawing on primary data collected from 120 respondents comprising board members, senior managers, and shareholders across five manufacturing companies. A structured questionnaire was employed as the primary data collection instrument, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The study investigates four governance dimensions: board composition, board independence, transparency and disclosure, and shareholder rights protection. Findings indicate that board independence and transparent reporting practices exert significant positive effects on both financial and non-financial organisational performance indicators. The study further reveals that firms with diversified boards tend to record better profitability ratios and employee satisfaction scores compared to those with homogenous governance structures. These results align with recent literature emphasising accountability-driven governance models. The paper recommends that manufacturing firms in Kano State strengthen governance structures by appointing independent directors with relevant industry expertise and institutionalising regular performance audits. Regulatory agencies are also urged to enforce existing corporate governance codes more vigorously. This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on corporate governance outcomes in North West Nigeria's industrial sector. Keywords: corporate governance, organisational performance, board independence, manufacturing firms, Kano State.