Modern Educational Leadership and Goal Achievement in Tertiary Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The need for sound educational leadership as an effective means of 
facilitating goal achievement in tertiary institutions of learning can 
never be overestimated. It is for this reason that this article examined 
the concept of tertiary education and its goals, modern as against the 
traditional types of leadership, characteristics of effective educational 
leadership, challenges of providing successful leadership in educational 
institutions and the way forward. It is the hope of researcher that if 
some of the selected and discussed modern types of leadership are 
applied in the management of tertiary institutions, the goals of tertiary 
education, as itemized in section 5, sub-sections 81 to 85 of the 2013 
version of the National Policy on Education will be substantially 
achieved, irrespective of whatever challenges that may beset the 
tertiary education system. That means that in spite of whatever 
challenges tertiary education system may face, Nigerian national 
development, which remains the main objective of tertiary education, 
will be enhanced through high level manpower training, affordable 
quality learning, career counselling, reduction in skills’ shortages, 
encouragement of scholarship, entrepreneurship, community service 
and international understanding and interactions. The article 
concludes that improved funding and accountability in the 
management of institutional resources would, most likely, ensure the 
provision of infrastructural and other facilities, improved staff and students welfare needs and provision of more conducive learning 
environments.