Authors :
Lawal T. Ibrahim; Aliyu Ochere Shafiyu; Abdulgafar Akilu; John Peter Asuku; Bello Salamat Onyinoyi; Shaibu Salawu
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4kz86pbz
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4vcj62uh
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul1378
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Artificial intelligence is gradually transforming accounting, auditing, corporate reporting, and digital governance
by improving data processing, internal control monitoring, fraud detection, and disclosure procedures. However, it's still
unclear whether implementing artificial intelligence truly improves financial reporting transparency or if it's merely a
symbolic disclosure strategy, despite the fact that listed companies in Nigeria are increasingly utilizing digitalization,
automation, and analytics. This research looks at how financial reporting transparency among listed companies in Nigeria
are affected by the use of artificial intelligence. Using secondary data from annual reports, corporate governance reports,
sustainability reports, and Nigerian Exchange Group disclosures of listed businesses with complete data from 2019 to 2024,
the study employs an ex post facto and correlational research design. AI adoption and financial reporting transparency were
examined using panel regression, and the severity of AI disclosure was measured using content analysis. The results show
that financial reporting transparency is positively and significantly impacted by the application of artificial intelligence. The
outcome also demonstrates that while corporate governance quality boosts the link between AI adoption and transparent
financial reporting, AI disclosure intensity promotes transparency. By demonstrating how AI adoption can serve as a
governance mechanism that improves transparency, the study adds to the body of knowledge on AI accounting. However,
its effectiveness in an emerging market comes from actual implementation rather than symbolic AI signaling.
Keywords :
Adoption of AI; Transparency in Financial Reporting; Listed Companies; Corporate Governance; AI Disclosure; Nigeria.
References :
- Ajibade, A. T., Okutu, N., Akande, F., Kwarbai, J. D., Olayinka, I. M., & Olotu, A. (2022). IFRS adoption, corporate governance and faithful representation of financial reporting quality in Nigeria’s development banks. Cogent Business & Management, 9(1), Article 2139213. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2139213.
- Akpabio, I. I., & Azubike, J. U. B. (2024). Determinants of financial reporting quality of listed firms in Nigeria. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management, 10(8), 142–165. https://doi.org/10.56201/jafm.v10.no8.2024.pg142.165.
- Alzeghoul, A., & Alsharari, N. M. (2025). Impact of AI disclosure on the financial reporting and performance as evidence from US banks. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(1), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18010004.
- Anantharaman, D., Rozario, A., & Parker, C. A. (2023). Artificial intelligence and financial reporting quality. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4625279.
- Dau, N. H., Nguyen, D. V., & Diem, H. T. T. (2024). Annual report readability and firms’ investment decisions. Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1), Article 2296230. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2296230.
- Dong, N. T., Thuy, C. T. M., Khuong, N. V., & Le, A. H. T. (2025). Annual report readability and financial reporting quality: The moderating role of information asymmetry. International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, 33(1), 241–261. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJAIM-06-2024-0192.
- Etuk, M. U., & Ibok, N. I. (2024). Board effectiveness and annual report readability of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management, 10(6), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.56201/jafm.v10.no6.2024.pg122.136.
- García-Lacalle, J., & Torres, L. (2021). Financial reporting quality and online disclosure practices in Spanish governmental agencies. Sustainability, 13(5), Article 2437. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052437.
- Kokina, J., Blanchette, S., Davenport, T. H., & Pachamanova, D. (2025). Challenges and opportunities for artificial intelligence in auditing: Evidence from the field. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 56, Article 100734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2025.100734.
- Lehner, O. M., Ittonen, K., Silvola, H., Ström, E., & Wührleitner, A. (2022). Artificial intelligence-based decision-making in accounting and auditing: Ethical challenges and normative thinking. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 35(9), 109–135. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-09-2020-4934.
- Li, J. (2026). Artificial intelligence innovation and financial report quality. International Review of Economics & Finance, 105, Article 104832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104832.
- Shen, L., Wang, X., & Yang, Y. (2025). Artificial intelligence adoption and corporate ESG performance: Evidence from a refined large language model. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 8, Article 1691468. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2025.1691468.
- Soepriyanto, G., Tjokroaminoto, S., & Zudana, A. E. (2021). Annual report readability and accounting irregularities: Evidence from public listed companies in Indonesia. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, 19(5), 793–818. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRA-01-2020-0006.
- Toumi, N. (2024). Annual report readability and information disclosure quality: Evidence from Tunisia. Information Sciences Letters, 13(3), 573–587. https://doi.org/10.18576/isl/130310.
Artificial intelligence is gradually transforming accounting, auditing, corporate reporting, and digital governance
by improving data processing, internal control monitoring, fraud detection, and disclosure procedures. However, it's still
unclear whether implementing artificial intelligence truly improves financial reporting transparency or if it's merely a
symbolic disclosure strategy, despite the fact that listed companies in Nigeria are increasingly utilizing digitalization,
automation, and analytics. This research looks at how financial reporting transparency among listed companies in Nigeria
are affected by the use of artificial intelligence. Using secondary data from annual reports, corporate governance reports,
sustainability reports, and Nigerian Exchange Group disclosures of listed businesses with complete data from 2019 to 2024,
the study employs an ex post facto and correlational research design. AI adoption and financial reporting transparency were
examined using panel regression, and the severity of AI disclosure was measured using content analysis. The results show
that financial reporting transparency is positively and significantly impacted by the application of artificial intelligence. The
outcome also demonstrates that while corporate governance quality boosts the link between AI adoption and transparent
financial reporting, AI disclosure intensity promotes transparency. By demonstrating how AI adoption can serve as a
governance mechanism that improves transparency, the study adds to the body of knowledge on AI accounting. However,
its effectiveness in an emerging market comes from actual implementation rather than symbolic AI signaling.
Keywords :
Adoption of AI; Transparency in Financial Reporting; Listed Companies; Corporate Governance; AI Disclosure; Nigeria.