Risk Governance Structures and Their Influence on Internal Audit Quality in Nigeria’s Corporate Organisations

This study examined the influence of risk governance structures on internal audit quality in Nigeria’s corporate organisations. The study was motivated by increasing governance failures, financial irregularities, weak risk oversight, and concerns regarding the effectiveness of internal audit functions in Nigerian firms. Specifically, the research investigated the effects of board risk oversight, risk management committee effectiveness, and enterprise risk management structures on internal audit quality. A descriptive and explanatory survey research design was adopted. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to internal auditors, risk officers, finance managers, and audit committee members of selected listed companies in Nigeria. Out of 250 questionnaires distributed, 210 valid responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that board risk oversight, risk management committee effectiveness, and enterprise risk management structures significantly and positively influence internal audit quality. The study concluded that effective risk governance structures strengthen audit independence, accountability, transparency, and organisational sustainability in Nigeria’s corporate sector.