Understanding the Impact of Leadership in Nigeria

This critical ethnographic study focused on identifying theleadership practices of past and present leaders involved in the operation of theNigerian government, with emphasis on the Eastern Region. The author was committed anddetermined to discovering a pattern of meaning through its natural setting, was equallyinterested in the process rather than outcomes, in context rather than specificvariables, and in discovery rather than confirmation in order to gain in-depth knowledgeand understanding of the issues and problems associated with the leadership situation inthe country. For clarity, the investigator used Northouse leadership approach tounderstand the leadership in the current Nigerian leadership situation. Twelve past andpresent leaders in the government operations of the Eastern Region of Nigeriaparticipated in the study, and the leadership assessment instrument survey questionnairewas used to support the study. While the study showed a great need for change inleadership, the results of the study revealed that most of the leaders and policy makersin the Eastern Region of the country lack effective leadership skills for the positionsthey hold. The study also suggested some recommendations for improving the currentleadership situation in Nigeria