BOARD,OF DIRECTORS, STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE TAX AGGRESSIVENESS OF LISTED INDUSTRIAL GOODS COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

axation plays a vital role in financing all government projects and activities, as such, the studies of tax aggressiveness can assist policy makers and tax authorities in addressing companies' illegal tax schemes and taxing business more equitable in the sense that every entity pays their fair share of taxes. This study investigates the relationship between board characteristics and tax aggressiveness among listed industrial goods companies in Nigeria over the period 2007-2022. Adopting an expost facto research design, secondary data from annual reports and Nigeria Exchange Group fact books were analyzed using panel regression techniques. The sample comprises 15 companies selected from a group of 22, reflecting constraints like incomplete financial data due to capital issues and insecurity. Descriptive statistics, ordinary least square regression technique was used to estimate the model. Hausman's specification test was also conducted to choose betweenfixed and random effect, the test favoured random effect over fixed effect. The result reveals that firm size (FSZ) and leverage (LEV) are negatively related to tax rate while board size (BSZ), independent directors (IND) and return on equity (ROE) are positively related to tax rate. It was also found that an independent director (IND) was statistically significant at 1% level, while board size (BSZ) was negatively insignificant. The study concluded that board şize (BSZ) has significant role to play in reducing tax aggressiveness oflisted industrial goods in Nigeria and as such the study recommends that regulatory bodies should enforce strict compliance to the provisions of the codes of best practices by Nigerian companies. However, board size, firm size, return on equity, and leverage show mixed or negligible impacts on firm performance. The study underscores the importance of board quality over size and recommends adherence to corporate governance codes for enhanced board independence and effective oversight. Future research could extend these findings to other sectors and explore additional variables to enrich understanding of governance impacts on firm behavior and performance.