This research work “AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEMS OF LEADERSHIP IN TERTIARY INSTITUTON” looking at the ineffective and techniques which our leaders used so as to inaccomplish the leadership objectives. Specifically, the work answers questions which bordered on the problems of leadership which the institution is going ontos. The five chaptered research works limit its scope of study in Federal Polytechnic, Oko using proper information gathering method to obtain data whereas twelve principle officers of the administration and academic sector are used as the sample size. Also, the interview used for data collection included students. The chapter four led to the chapter summary, recommendation and conclusion. The research work actually show the most leader ship problems which pull down the bad rapport between the management and the subordinates so as to inaccomplish the set goals.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The work “An investigation into the problems of leadership in Nigerian tertiary institutions has a critical look at the leadership problems at which the Nigerian tertiary institutions are led using Federal Polytechnic, Oko as a case study.

Leadership as known is the act of directing people/group of persons so as to accomplish as stated objectives, determines the success and failure of an organization based on the style adopted. Also leadership can be seen as the ability to influence people to strive willingly towards accomplishing groups objectives.

Konnitze and Dr. Donnell (1972) in Umeh (2005:145) define leadership as “interpersonal influence, exercise in situation and directed through the communication process towards the attainment of a specific goal or goals”.

He further describes leadership as directing, coordinating a group people in a specific situation, with the view to attaining the objectives of the group. It also involves wielding authority over the subordinates giving direction and ensuring that the objectives of an organization are met.

Moreso, leadership is in essence concerned with human energy in organization group. It is a people orientated phenomenon. It is also a force that can initiate action among people, guide activities in a given direction, maintain such activities and unify effort towards common goals.

In this research work, leadership problems autocratic behaviour, lack of planning etc.

Leadership problems are explained merits and demerits marshaled out, at the same time, the areas which require particular problems of leadership pin-pointed for ineffectiveness.

Comparisons of problems of leadership were projected lifting know the problem(s) which should not be a approached properly. Bureaucratic, management as concerned leadership are not left out. Consequently, techniques, theories and approaches to leadership are made comprehensive in the work through the aid of the intellects in leadership and management.

Finally, the research work made an open revelation of the concept “leadership”.

The application of the problems of leadership in any organization, be it service or production should not through some numerous drives such as being wicked, arrogant, rude, power fact of the force and not appeal to legitimate right. A bad leader can not transmit feeling and execution to the followers by the process that known as communication.

Federal Polytechnic, Oko was established (1981) through collective effort of the community. It is located in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The planning and establishment of the institution was executed by the Oko progressive union, supported by their result oriented leadership of its first chairman of the second civilian regime of Federal republic of Nigeria Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

Initially, the institution was approved by the Anambra State government as a college of arts and science in 1979. And was upgraded to Anambra State Polytechnic, in 1985 when there was a leadership problem.

The quality of its education programmes necessitated its take over by the Federal Government in 1993, it is today known and called Federal Polytechnic Oko.

This institution is located on a land mass covering 35.03 hectares. Because of the founder of the institution, the land where the school is erected is dominated by various individuals and organization as their contributions to the under development of the institution.

Then in 2002, after administration of Prof. Uba Nwuba, a serious crisis broke out in the institution which led to a panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the matter. The exercise was messed up and disorganized, worsening the crisis.

In this institution, the staff instead of facing academics and problems of students they started mortgaging their jobs with acquiring wealth. There was no serious academic planning and execution, there was no coordination, supervision of staff and students was very poor and indiscipline become order of the day. Also this institution is facing the appointment of a rector.

The major problem of leadership is not well addressed students and recognize their problems. Various leadership problems of the institution have kept the status of the content of the institution in many shapes.

This is because every leadership has its own made of operation that brings in good or bad to the people.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Most of Nigerian tertiary institutions are faced with some financial problems which impinge on administrative efficiency. Federal Polytechnic, Oko is never an exception. Federal Polytechnic, Oko has been hindered in the performance of its administrative functions as a result of many problems including the inadequacy of human and materials resources. Many of these problems includes;

i. Unrealistic Federal Government promises; the Polytechnic management has made it clear that most of the Federal Government budget allocation made to the school have not been fully released and this has been a serious sources of problem that impinged most of the administrative function. Since, 1993 the school was taken over by the Federal Government as its name changed to Federal Polytechnic.

ii. Inadequate handling of the institution fund: there has been widespread misappropriation of fund. This is witnessed in the series of administration which have come and gone internally and externally generated revenue of the school were most time squandered by the leader abandoned.

This impinged institution activities thereby setting the hand of the clock back.

iii. Students refused to pay their levies to the union; students union government of the institution at various time initiated the idea of students of the school to paying students union fees levy to enhance efficient in the side of the affairs of the students.

As the government do not want to look into the affairs of student by upgrading their condition. At the department levels, association in the department, such as PASAN impose levy on the students till dulge these payment thereby bringing failure to the activities of the institution.