FOLLOWERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AS A MEANS OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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FOLLOWERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AS A MEANS OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background for the Study
Leadership and followership are mutually beneficial behaviours that have a significant impact on national development around the world. Nigeria, after gaining independence in 1960, transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system of government.
Despite experiencing both civilian and military regimes, her leaders have been unable to provide her citizens with a quality of life commensurate with her abundant resources.
In Nigeria, the government has failed to provide portable drinking water, energy, good roads, effective service delivery, employment, a housing plan, adequate health care, education, and a viable voting system, among other things.
According to Ngwube (2010), Nigeria’s problem is a direct result of leadership failure. Nigerian leaders are unable to rise to the challenge of setting a personal example, which Achebe (2001) believes is the mark of great leadership.
To be fair to Achebe, our leaders have failed to set a good example. Ngwube stated that sycophancy and mere oratories had not improved the problem, but rather exacerbated it. A country’s development or progress can be influenced by the quality and ingenuity of its leaders.
Leadership can have a significant impact on her people’s quality of life and national power, as opposed to annihilating them through war and terrible government (Irikana, 2012). In Nigeria, how followers see their leaders is a critical problem.
In most cases, followers believe that their leaders lack the necessary skills for governance and that they act not in line with the needs and desires of the people, but rather in accordance with their personal agenda or interests, which are not unrelated to imperialistic forces.
Followership in Nigeria has not sparked much debate. However, there have been reports of resistance movements led by followers. These cases of resistance are a protest against Nigerian leaders’ bad governance and incompetence (Irikana, 2012).
Nigerian followers are extremely devoted and supportive of their leaders, and they have actively contributed to the achievement of the country’s goals. However, when a population is plagued by poverty,
it weakens its ability to rise to the challenges of curbing their leaders’ excesses. This docility will have a significant detrimental impact on the leader-follower relationship.
Leaders who are held accountable by their followers will temper their excesses and realign themselves with public opinion. However, in the midst of docility and sycophancy, leaders will be able to get away with misappropriation and inefficiency. However, competition among elites seeking leadership positions can be a major cause of conflict and a check on leadership (Lawal, 2011).
Leadership can be conceived at both the macro and micro levels. Macro refers to society governance, whereas micro refers to group or organisational governance. This study will examine leadership at the macro level, which encompasses the latter.
It will examine the concept of leadership, including its types, attributes, functions, and difficulties, from a Nigerian viewpoint. The study aims to educate political leaders and their supporters about their roles in fostering good governance in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Nigeria continues to be classified as one of the world’s least developed countries. It has been noticed, and rightfully so, that lousy followers have contributed to the problem of national development.
Nigeria has had both democratic and military governments, but its leaders have been unable to provide a quality of life commensurate with the country’s abundant resources.
In Nigeria, the government has failed to provide portable drinking water, energy, good roads, effective service delivery, employment, a housing plan, adequate health care, education, and a viable voting system, among other things.
1.3 Research Questions.
Based on the aforementioned, the following research questions have been developed for the study, namely:
i. What traits make a good leader?
ii. How can the people’s welfare and security be improved?
iii. What are the difficulties to leadership in Nigeria?
iv. What are the roles of leader and follower?
1.4 Study Purpose
This study will look at followership and leadership as a strategy of achieving national development. Specifically, it will:
i. Consider the characteristics of a good leader and follower.
ii. Determine measures to improve the well-being and security of the people.
iii. Identify the challenges to leadership in Nigeria.
iv. Define the roles of a leader and follower.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study’s scope is limited to the function of followership and leadership in national growth, with a focus on the Public Administration Department at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
1.6 Significance of the Study
There is no doubt that this type of study will help some individuals and entities. Meanwhile, it is intended that this research will assist the following groups: the general public, aspiring leaders, security agencies, the government, and future researchers.
Masses: By the completion of this work, the masses who are the followers would understand the value of excellent followership and obeying the law, which can also contribute to support national growth.
Prospective Leaders: The research findings will help those who want to be leaders to consider leadership as a way to promote people’s overall well-being rather than as a means of enriching themselves.
Security agencies: It will support the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, and other forces in the country in putting all hands on deck to secure the lives and property of her people, as no nation can achieve national development without protecting the lives and property of its residents.
Government: Governments at all levels will seek to improve the well-being of their citizens in order to achieve national development.
Future Researchers: Researchers who are conducting research on this or related topics will find the work interesting and useful as a reference.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of conducting the research, the researcher experienced some difficulties such as money, time, and energy.
1.8 Operational Definitions of Terms
Followership is the virtue of encouraging leaders to lead effectively.
Leadership is the act of guiding a group of people or an organisation.
Government: Is the entire mechanism by which a state is governed or ruled.
National development is a country’s ability to improve its people’s social welfare, for example, by providing social amenities such as excellent education, clean water, transportation infrastructure, medical care, and so on.
A leader is someone who has the executive ability to manage or rule a group of people.
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