EFFECTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF CONSUMER GOODS SECTOR IN NIGERIA (CASE STUDY OF UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC)

This study was designed to examine the evaluation of capital structure on the efjective performance of corporate organizations in Nigeria using "Unilever Nigeria Plc" as the case study. The population of the study consists of 400 employees of the company. But due to time limit and for accuracy purpose, a sample of 250 employees was selected from the population This is to determine the overall objective of the study which is to evaluate the effect of capital structure on the performance of corporate organizations in Nigeria by establishing the relationship that exist between capital structure and choices of firms in Nigeria. For the purpose of this study, primary data was utilized using the questionnaires presented to the selected employees of the company. The study used survey research design to ensure a valid and accurate representation of the factors and variables under study. Chi-Square statistic was used as a tool of data analysis to test the hypotheses developed in the study. The result of the findings revealed that there is impact of equity on adequate financing of corporate organizations in Nigeria. The findings also showed that there is a significant relationship between debt financing and sustainability of corporate organizations in Nigeria. The study also revealed that there is a significant relationship between high cost of finance and expansion of corporate organizations in Nigeria. Also, the findings showed that there is linkage between the value of total debt, return on assets and investment of corporate organizations in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that firms should consider the mixture of equity and debt since they are major determinants of corporate performance