Elites and leadership standards in post-independence Nigeria

Abstract

Students of leadership and leadership assessment agencies have scored Nigeria low in leadership. This chapter emphasizes the role these Nigerian leaders played in the struggle for independence and the leadership standards they set for other generations of leaders. The key roles played by these Nigerian political elites in the attainment of independence were facilitated by their exposure to Western education. Subsequently, they were able to set leadership standard which served as a template for leadership and governance in Nigeria. There are two main models of leadership in traditional Nigerian leadership which are the monarchical type and group-democracy type of traditional leadership institution. Thus, colonial political leadership has affected present political leadership institutions in Nigeria in terms of governance and administration. Most Nigerian elites were very optimistic about Nigeria's future at independence.