Authors:
Muhammad Usaini, A. Sulaiman, V. Pradeep, Jedsadakorn Nararattananukul

Addresses:
Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Federal University Gusau, Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria. Department of Business Administration, Dhaanish Ahmed College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Faculty of Business Administration, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract:

Nigerian listed firms have become a major concern in recent years due to increasing competition, dynamic market conditions, and rising operational costs. Corporate leadership, particularly the attributes of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), has been identified as a crucial factor influencing firm performance. This study examines the impact of CEO attributes on the profitability of listed companies in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the moderating role of research and development (R&D) expenditure. The study focuses on key CEO attributes such as age, tenure, educational qualification, and experience, and evaluates how these characteristics influence firms’ profitability outcomes. The study adopts a quantitative research approach and utilizes secondary data obtained from the annual reports and financial statements of selected listed firms over the study period. Profitability is measured using standard accounting-based indicators, while CEO attributes and research and development (R&D) expenditure are carefully extracted from corporate disclosures. Panel regression analysis is employed to examine both the direct effect of CEO attributes on profitability and the moderating effect of research and development expenditure on this relationship. The findings reveal that CEO attributes exert a significant influence on firm profitability, indicating that managerial characteristics play a vital role in shaping strategic decisions and financial outcomes. 

Keywords: Financial Performance; Consumer Goods; Organizational Performance; Corporate Decision-Making; Managerial Capabilities; Operational Costs; Accounting-Based Indicators.

Received on: 09/02/2025, Revised on: 12/05/2025, Accepted on: 27/07/2025, Published on: 12/03/2026

DOI: 10.69888/FTSSSL.2026.000583

FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Social Sciences Letters , 2026 Vol. 4 No. 1, Pages: 10–18

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