This study examined the effect of corporate governance on the financial sustainability of deposit money banks in Nigeria, focusing on board size, board composition, and audit committee effectiveness. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with primary data collected from 153 employees across three purposively selected commercial banks in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Results indicate that board size (β = 0.342, p = 0.001), board composition (β = 0.371, p < 0.001), and audit committee effectiveness (β = 0.388, p < 0.001) all have significant positive effects on financial sustainability. Audit committee effectiveness exhibited the strongest influence on sustainability outcomes. The study concludes that robust corporate governance practices are essential for enhancing the long-term financial sustainability of banks. Recommendations include strengthening board oversight, promoting director independence, and enhancing audit committee effectiveness to ensure accountability and sustainable growth. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, regulators, and banking executives seeking to optimize governance and sustain financial performance.
Keywords: Board Composition, Board size, Corporate Governance, Deposit Money Banks, Financial Sustainability, Nigeria, audit committee effectiveness, banking performance
