This paper provides an empirical investigation of the impact of debt structure on the performance of Nigerian quoted firms. It was conducted using 12-year annualized panel data spanning the period 2001-2012 for cross section of 43 firms from different sectorial classifications. The data were collated from the annual reports of the sampled firms and Nigeria Stock Exchange factbooks. The study employed three regression estimations (Pooled OLS, Fixed Effects and Random Effects) as a result of unobserved heterogeneity in the dataset. The outcome from the regression estimations showed that debt structure has negative and significant impact on the performance of Nigerian quoted firms within the period under review. The study concludes that debt structure contribute negatively to performance of Nigerian quoted firms, thereby agree with pecking order theory.

Modigliani and Miller’s (1963) paper made revelations on the importance of leverage in reducing tax payment obligations. Shareholders’ return may affect the risk premium associated with the use of leverage. However, the literature on leverage and shareholder returns relationships for a dynamic business environment such as Nigeria is still growing. The one-step differenced generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator is used in analysing an unbalanced panel data of 18 insurance firms for the period 2008-2017. The data used are gleaned from the annual reports of the sampled insurance companies. Results showed that the debt ratio has a significant negative effect on shareholders’ returns. However, the results become positive and significant when debt-equity and interest coverage ratios are used as the leverage ratio. This study supports the pecking order theory. It concluded that the effect of financial leverage on shareholders’ returns depends largely on the decomposition of financial leverage; hence both theories examined are relevant. This study recommended, among other things, that there is a need for the management of insurance companies to reassess the costs and risks associated with financial leverage when financing decisions have to be made. Furthermore, high indebtedness should be trimmed to reduce its negative influence on shareholders’ returns by ensuring an appropriate finance option, which will be in accordance to maximise shareholders’ wealth.