The Role of Human Resource Managers in Corporate Governance: Evidence from Quoted Companies on the Nigerian Exchange Group

This study examines the role of human resource managers in corporate governance processes within companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Effective corporate governance requires strong people management foundations, including board composition, leadership succession, ethical culture management, and compliance workforce systems, areas where HR leadership should play a central role. The study adopts a survey design, collecting primary data from 100 Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) and HR directors of NGX-listed companies through structured questionnaires and telephone interviews. Secondary data from corporate governance reports and annual filings provide supplementary evidence. Agency Theory and Stewardship Theory provide contrasting theoretical perspectives for analysing the HR-governance interface. Findings reveal that fewer than half of the sampled companies have their CHRO represented at board governance committee level, limiting the strategic integration of HR insights in governance deliberations. The study also establishes that companies with board-level HR representation demonstrate significantly stronger scores on succession planning adequacy, leadership development investment, and ethical culture metrics. The HR function's contribution to governance is most advanced in banking and telecommunications, and least developed in smaller listed entities. Recommendations include formalising the CHRO's role in board governance and nomination committees, developing a Corporate Governance HR Maturity Framework for Nigerian firms, and mandating HR-related disclosures in annual governance statements. Keywords: Corporate Governance, HR Management, NGX, Board Representation, CHRO.