LEADERSHIP STYLE AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT AMONG LECTURERS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the leadership style and employee commitment among lecturers in public universities, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria with the general objective of finding out the influence of leadership style on employee commitment among lecturers in public universities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on LMX theory and Motivation -Hygiene theory. The survey research design was adopted with questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. The population of the study consisted of 537 lecturers from two universities in Akwa Ibom State, (327 from the University of Uyo and 210 from Akwa Ibom State University. It was concluded that the leadership style adopted by universities managers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria significantly affected the low level of employee commitment. The findings of the study show that autocratic leadership style was practised in these universities. It was recommended that University management should move towards democratic leadership style as it has the potential of enhancing innovation and commitment among employees through inclusive management among other recommendations