Intellectual Capital and the Growth of Listed Commercial Banks in Nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the effect of intellectual capital on growth of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. The study employed ex-post facto design and the study population was drawn from all listed commercial banks, out of which a sample of seven (7) were selected using banks with international licenses as basis for sampling. Secondary data was the main instrument of data collection, obtained from the published annual reports and accounts of listed commercial banks from 2014-2023. Data on the dependent variable (revenue and asset growth), control variable (financial leverage – debt to equity ratio) and independent variable (intellectual capital – human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency) were collected. Data obtained were analyzed via descriptive, regression diagnostic and inferential statistics. The fixed and random effects panel regression results revealed that intellectual capital has no significant influence on commercial banks’ growth in Nigeria. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends among others that management should further engage less structural capital; this should however be cautiously implemented such that the level of structural capital is kept low as much as possible in order not to deter the growth of commercial banks. This study contributes to knowledge as it serves as a response call for further research in understanding intellectual capital and the growth of listed commercial banks in Nigeria.