Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of sustainability reporting on market value growth (MVG) of quoted companies in Nigeria. The corporate reporting system has evolved, and this study examined how it influences the perception of investors. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted an ex post facto research design with 167 listed firms as the population. A total of 28 quoted firms were chosen with the use of purposive sampling. Data from 2009 to 2018 were obtained from secondary sources. Content analysis was used as a tool to analyse the disclosures in sustainability reports. The model was estimated using pooled ordinary least square (multivariate regression). Company age and financial leverage were used as control variables. Findings This study found that the compliance level of the sampled firms with sustainability reporting requirements for the four dimensions are below average, and sustainability reporting does not have a significant effect on MVG with Prob. (F-stat) of 0.7212 > 0.05. Therefore, this study recommends that management should intensify efforts in ensuring maximum compliance with the sustainability reporting guideline of Global Reporting Initiative to reflect in their market value and ensure its growth. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the original idea of the authors, although references were made to previous related study but it is a unique research work of its own. The work contained in this paper (in full and part) has not been previously submitted to any other journal for publication.