GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

The study investigated the relationship between corporate governance and earnings management of quoted financial institutions in Nigeria. The population of this study comprised all the banks and insurance companies that are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2007 to 2011. The study adopted the cross sectional research approach while stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was used to test the hypotheses From the results of the data analysis, it was observed that there is no significant relationship between remuneration and nomination committee independence as well as block ownership with earnings management in financial institutions. In conclusion, the study also established the existence of earnings management practices in financial institutions in Nigeria. One of the recommendations was that the regulatory agencies should create more awareness on the concept of corporate governance mechanisms and its role in developing the financial sub-sector of the economy.