Gender notions and Leadership Effectiveness in the Civil Service of Oyo State Nigeria

Abstract

Given that in many parts of the world, stereotyped gender roles are associated with prejudiced gender differential roles and authority for leadership. However, with the increasing transition of women into productive economic due to cultural shifts and social re-examination of gender relations, there seemed to be some evidence of reduced female gender prejudices and equal perception of leadership role and effectiveness. This paper describes the realities of female gender experiences in leadership position of the Oyo state civil service. The study reveals that patriarchal dispositions were precluded as a significant constraint to roles and approval of leadership effectiveness. Grade-level appraisal outcome performance and vacancy for career advancement and/or leadership roles and effectiveness was largely gender neutral. Vacancy to fill, with consideration for indigenous and ethnic identity quotas soften appraisal performance and/or reduce female gender bias for leadership roles. Effective leadership demands are based on a contextual expectation for performance. The paper concludes that with the contradiction and changing of patriarchal structures, the experienced realities of the women of their roles and leadership experiences reflect the deterioration in such structures and equal career advancement without regard for gender.