LEADERSHIP, FOLLOWERSHIP AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined leadership, followership and national development in Nigeria. Three hypotheses
derived from the specific objectives of the study were tested. This study is quantitative in nature
and adopts the descriptive research design. The study used quantitative data and this was gathered
with the questionnaire. This data collection instrument was validated and also subjected to reliability
test, before it was used for the collection of data. The questionnaire was used to elicit responses
from 120 respondents that constitute the sample size. The data generated from the field work was
extracted from the measuring instrument and then subjected to inferential statistical analysis for
the testing of the hypotheses. The chi-square statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses. The
study revealed that Nigerian leaders have not been able to satisfy the desire of her people;
expenditures have not been able to match productivity, the welfare and security of her people
cannot be guaranteed and the vision, goal and the national morale of her people cannot be assured
by her leaders when there is no change to foster good followership. This study recommended among
others that leadership and followership relationship should always be harmonized as to enable the
society or group to achieve her vision and set goals and leadership and followership should adopt a
new paradigm shift were values, and leadership traits, integrity and other discussed qualities herein
will serve as the basis for consideration or determining leadership.