Effect of Social Sustainability Accounting on Performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria

Author : Dr. Amarachi Anita Ekejuba

Abstract : The study examined the effect of Social Sustainability Accounting (SSA) on the performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria for the period 2016–2025. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of health and safety practices and community engagement on the performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. The study adopted an ex post facto research design and utilized time-series data obtained from the annual reports and accounts of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria as of 31st December 2024. A sample of 17 firms was purposively selected based on criteria established by the researcher for the period under review. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the characteristics of the research variables. Correlation analysis was conducted to ascertain the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent variables and firm performance. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis was further employed to empirically examine the relationship between the dimensions of social sustainability accounting and the dependent variable at a 0.05 level of significance. The results of the regression analysis revealed that health and safety practices had a negative and non-significant effect on return on equity, while community engagement had a positive and significant effect on return on equity of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. The implication of these findings is that the proxies for social sustainability accounting contributed to firm performance, although at varying degrees. The study therefore recommended among others, that listed non-financial firms in Nigeria should improve their disclosure practices, as inadequate or poorly guided disclosures may lead to ineffective decision-making and negatively affect performance.

Keywords : Social Sustainability Accounting, Community Engagement, Firm Performance, Nigeria

Conference Name : International Conference on Sustainability Reporting and Accounting Practices (ICSRAP-26)

Conference Place : Edinburgh, UK

Conference Date : 3rd Aug 2026