Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to propose an alternative corporate governance framework for Nigeria's banking sector in view of the recurrent corporate governance breaches reported among Nigerian banks. A questionnaire survey was used to identify factors affecting corporate governance practices among Nigerian banks, test the importance and practicality of features of acclaimed national codes of corporate governance and guiding principles and their applicability to Nigeria's banks setting. Eighteen (18) out of twenty-one (21) commercial banks participated in the survey, yielding 85 7% participation rate. All the banks that participated in the survey responded, resulting in a 100% response rate However, only 17 questionnaires were usable, yielding a usable rate of 94 4%. We find that the extant rule-based CBN code appears comprehensive as it focuses on principles relating to the board, shareholders, other stakeholders therefore recommends a framework anchored on the board providing ethical and effective leadership.