FIRM SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

The financial performance of Nigerian insurance firms has been seen as weak and poor. Owing to the weakness of the insurance sector, the study therefore examined the effect of insurance specific attributes on financial performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The study covered a period of eleven years from 2008 to 2018. The research used correlation research design and secondary data obtained from the annual reports and accounts of firms from 2008-2018. The population of the study is all the 27 insurance firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 31st December 2018, eighteen (18) of these firms were selected as sample. Multiple regression analysis was used in estimating the research model. The result of the study shows that underwriting risk and operating expenses have negative and significant impacts on financial performance and Premium growth reveal a positive and significant impact on financial performance of the study firms. The study concludes that underwriting risk and operating expenses inversely affect the financial performance of listed insurance firms. The study recommends among others that the management of the listed insurance firm should focus more on reducing the level of their underwriting operation and cut their present level of operational cost drastically to improve financial performance.