Modern Educational Leadership and Goal Achievement in Tertiary Education in Nigeria

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.