LEADERSHIP STYLE: IMPETUS FOR INNOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENT IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS' SYSTEM

Abstract

Education remains the engine room for the growth and development of any nation including Nigeria. In educational institutions, there must be a force to manage both the human and material resources towards achieving educational goals. A force is needed in schools to guide the activities of teaching, non-teaching staff and students towards achievement of the institution's goals. Leadership provides the needed force. The Administrators in the schools are view to be the leaders responsible for innovations and improvement in the school system. Leadership is the act of influencing a group of people in a particular situation towards the achievement of a goal or a set of goals. Therefore, the paper examined the concept of leadership, leadership styles, functions, qualities and drawing on theoretical insights for innovations and improvement in Nigerian schools system. It identified some of the challenges facing the leaders in educational industries among which are; high cost of education, manpower problem, poor equip libraries, poor management among others. The paper suggested potential solutions for innovations and improvement in educational institution in Nigeria, including capacity building and manpower development, provision of adequate funding as recommended by UNESCO, adequate school planning and proper management of educational system. This study provides valuable insights for stakeholders and policymaker in educational industry to address the challenges and improve the innovations and mprovement in Nigerian school system.