EFFECT OF AUDIT QUALITY ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The study investigates the effect of audit quality on the financial performance of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria, the objectives of the study were to examine how audit independence influences the financial performance of listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria, to investigate the impact of audit fees on the financial performance of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria, to evaluate the influence of audit tenure on the financial performance of listed oil and gas companies in Nigeria, to assess the impact of audit committees on the financial performance of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria. the study made use of export factor as the research design. While the population for the study comprised of all the oiland gas firms listed on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange from 2013 to December, 2022. And a sample size of 10 oil and gas were used for the study. The study found out that: There is no significant relationship between audit independence and return on assets of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria, There is no significant relationship between audit fee and return on assets of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria, There is no significant relationship between audit tenure and return on assets of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria, and There is no significant relationship between audit committee size and return on assets of listed oil and gas firms in Nigeria. The study recommends that firms should increase auditor independence to enhance firms' financial performance through better internal controls, integrity tests, and effective use of auditor experience.Implement appropriate audit fee policies to ensure timely payment and improve audit performance.Shareholders should ensure audit committee members are experienced and have high integrity to maintain audit quality. And Auditor tenure should be limited to five years to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain trust in financial reporting.