The study examines the perceived effects of corporate governance mechanisms on the value of manufacturing firms in Nigeria by adopting economic value added as the measure of firm value. Corporate governance mechanisms such as concentrated ownership, managerial ownership, the board size, board independence, and foreign ownership as they influence corporate valuation were empirically investigated. 89 listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria were selected for 5 years (2012-2016) for the analysis. The study utilized different tests such as OLS panel data regression and multiple regression model to establish the relationship with panel corrected standard error (PCSE). The study is guided by resource enrichment theory and agency theory. The finding of the study shows that ownership concentration, the board size, and board independence positively impacted on firm value as measured by economic value added. However, managerial ownership and foreign ownership reported negative and insignificant impacts on the value of Nigerian manufacturing firms.

The certainty of the reliance on the use of financial ratio analysis in making investment decisions by potential investors still remained a mystery. This has to do with the choice of ratios to select when making investment decisions. Many shareholders in Nigeria are uneducated or illiterate, and due to their ignorance, they cannot use ratio analysis in evaluating firms for investment decisions. Thus, this paper explores the concept of financial ratio analysis in terms of the decision usefulness of financial ratios. The paper suggests that the relevant financial information needed for the purposes of making investment decision can be sourced through the use of financial ratio analysis. Therefore, management must ensure that disclosure of comprehensive financial ratios form part of financial statement prepared for the overall appraisal of firms.