Effect of Board Attributes on Human Capital Disclosure of Quoted Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This study examined the effect of board attributes on human capital disclosure (HCD) among listed deposit money banks in Nigeria., the study adopts an ex-post facto research design to explore how board independence, board gender diversity, board diligence, and board size influence the extent and transparency of human capital information disclosed in annual and sustainability reports. Utilising a census sampling technique, the study covers all 14 deposit money banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), ensuring full sectoral representation. The panel data analysis used a fixed-effects regression model, and Hausman specification test confirming model robustness and statistical validity. The findings revealed that board independence and diligence are significant predictors of enhanced human capital disclosure. Board size shows a marginally positive influence, suggesting resource advantages of larger boards. In contrast, board gender diversity does not exhibit a statistically significant effect. In conclusion, the study affirms that well-composed and actively engaged boards foster voluntary human capital reporting among banks. It recommends that regulatory bodies strengthen board independence requirements, enforce minimum board meeting frequencies, and promote institutional empowerment of female directors to enhance disclosure effectiveness. These governance reforms, if implemented, will help align Nigerian banks with international standards and support more transparent, accountable, and sustainable corporate practices.