LEADERSHIP ROLES AND THE GROWTH OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The study examines the impact of democratic governance on leadership challenges in Nigerian university education from 1999 to 2024. It explores key issues such as funding deficits, political interference, corruption, and conflicts between university administrators and academic unions. The research employs a qualitative historical approach, utilizing secondary sources such as books, journal articles, government reports, and policy documents. The findings reveal that despite democratic governance offering greater institutional autonomy and opportunities for reform, Nigerian universities continue to face severe governance crises. Inadequate funding, politicization of university leadership, mismanagement of resources, and frequent ASUU strikes have significantly disrupted the academic calendar and lowered education standards. However, initiatives such as TETFund and public-private partnerships have contributed positively to university development. The study concludes that without comprehensive leadership reforms, improved funding, and transparent governance, the Nigerian university system will remain unstable. Recommendations include merit-based leadership appointments, increased education funding, and better conflict resolution strategies to enhance university governance and academic excellence.