Profitability is a vital factor that relates to the way and manner in which financial resources available to firm are judiciously used to achieve the overall corporate objective of an organization. Profitability keeps organization in business and creates a greater prospect for future opportunities. However, corporate profitability is faced with governance challenges recently, which undermine the future prospects and opportunities of corporate entities around the world, particularly developing economies like Nigeria. This study assessed the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on the profitability (return on equity ROE and return on assets ROA) of quoted cement companies in Nigeria. 

The study adopted correlation research design in a sample of 4 listed cement companies in Nigeria, for a period of ten years (2003-2012). Secondary data was used and multiple regression technique of data analysis using fixed and random effect models was applied. The study found that, the board size of the listed cement companies in Nigeria has no significant impact on profitability (return on equity and return on assets). 

It however found that the board composition and managerial shareholding have a significant positive impact on the profitability (ROE and ROA) of listed cement companies in Nigeria during the period under review. The study recommends among others that, the regulators of listed cement companies in Nigeria should increase surveillance and supervision to ensure effective compliance with the code of best practices on corporate governance. It further recommends that the regulators and the board of directors of listed cement companies in Nigeria should not concentrate on an optimal board that could significantly impact on the profitability.