Leadership Behaviours of University Administrators and the Performance of Core Mandates of Selected Federal Universities in the North Central Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

A study of leadership in Nigeria in general shows that the quality of leadership is a far cry from what is expected. The existence of university system is predicated on the development of the nation through offering services in the areas of teaching, research, capacity building, entrepreneurial activities and community service. It is very disheartening to observe that Nigerian universities over the years have lagged behind in the performance of these tasks (core mandates) due to the nature and dynamics of leadership as well as the political and economic environment of these institutions. This study was undertaken to investigate, identify and determine the leadership behaviour(s) most prevalent among uuniversity administrators of selected Federal Universities in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Primary data for the study was collected through questionnaire, structured interview, and personal observations. A descriptive survey design and the random sampling procedure were used to administer the questionnaire to academic staff in selected Federal Universities in North Central Zone of Nigeria using Ohio State University and University of Michigan Models. The data collected were analysed using the students’t-Test via the application of Microsoft Excel 2013 and IBM SPSS 22. The results from the analysis showed that task-oriented leadership behaviour was generally displayed by university administrators in the North Central Zone of Nigeria during the period under study, which has, by implication, negatively influenced the performance of the university core mandates.