THE INFLUENCE OF ESG-DRIVEN LENDING ON BANKING SECTOR DYNAMICS IN NIGERIA

The data for this study were collected through a cross-sectional survey administered to banking professionals in Nigeria, including senior management, credit risk officers, sustainability managers, and loan officers actively involved in lending practices. The survey gathered information on ESG integration within lending processes, focusing on its impact on financial performance and credit risk management. Key financial metrics, such as Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Net Interest Margin (NIM), and credit risk exposure, were measured. The dataset also included external factors influencing ESG adoption, such as regulatory pressures and market demand. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Bayesian Networks to examine the probabilistic relationships between ESG integration, financial outcomes, and credit risk.