BLOCKCHAIN-BASED REAL-TIME ACCOUNTING, FINANCIAL REPORTING QUALITY AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIAN FIRMS

The need for clear, dependable, and real-time accounting systems has increased due to the corporate reporting's rapid digitisation. The influence of blockchain-based real-time accounting (BRTA) on financial reporting quality (FRQ) and corporate governance effectiveness (CGE) among Nigerian corporates is examined in this study, along with the role that institutional and technological factors play in adoption. The study employs a quantitative explanatory design and gathers primary data from 176 senior accounting officers, internal auditors, IT managers, and governance officers across sectors of the selected firms listed on Nigerian Exchange Group. It is based on Agency Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, Institutional Theory, and Socio-Technical Systems Theory. According to descriptive statistics, blockchain use is moderate but increasing, and FRQ and CGE are usually seen favourably. The measurement constructs' adequate validity and reliability are confirmed by PLS-SEM analysis. According to the results, BRTA considerably improves FRQ (β = 0.62, p < 0.001) and CGE (β = 0.58, p < 0.001), and blockchain adoption is strongly influenced by institutional and technological factors (β = 0.72, p < 0.001). Significant impacts are also exerted by control variables like industry type and firm size. The results highlight how blockchain may be used as a governance-enhancing technology to increase stakeholder confidence, auditability, and transparency in emerging market situations. To optimise adoption benefits, the report suggests capacity building, phased implementation, regulatory clarity, and public-private cooperation.