PUBLIC ENTERPRISES MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN AND KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY

Management practices and leadership styles are critical determinants of the overall effectiveness and performance of higher education institutions, particularly in the Nigerian context. This study investigates the relationships between management practices, leadership styles, and academic, financial, and administrative outcomes in two prominent Nigerian universities: the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University. A quantitative survey design was employed and the population of the study was 5,323 with 336 responses used as sample. This study employs a quantitative survey design to comprehensively investigate management practices in two prominent Nigerian universities, namely the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, Malete. The use of a structured questionnaire serves as the primary data collection tool to elicit responses from both academic and non-academic staff members of the two universities. The choice of a quantitative survey design is justified as it allows for a systematic and objective examination of management practices, while the structured questionnaire enables standardized data collection, making it easier to analyze and compare responses. The study's results revealed that there are significant positive correlations between management practices (strategic planning, quality assurance, and efficient financial management) and academic, financial, and administrative outcomes. Additionally, the study found that leadership styles adopted by university administrators significantly influence the overall effectiveness of these institutions. Transformational and servant leadership styles exhibited strong positive correlations with university effectiveness. Conversely, laissez-faire and autocratic leadership styles displayed negative correlations with university effectiveness. In conclusion, the study's outcomes underscore the critical role of effective management practices and leadership styles in shaping the success and overall quality of education and research in Nigerian higher education institutions. The study therefore recommended that Nigerian universities should prioritize the development and implementation of robust strategic plans that align with their missions and visions. University administrators should actively involve all stakeholders in the planning process. They should actively promote research and innovation by encouraging collaborative partnerships with industry, government agencies, and international institutions.