Abstract
This research project will involve a comprehensive examination of the leadership qualities of students' union office holders in universities in Bayelsa State. The study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups, to gather data on the current leadership practices, challenges, and aspirations of student leaders in the region. The research will specifically focus on identifying the key leadership qualities and skills that are essential for effective student leadership, such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork. It will also explore the impact of external factors, such as institutional support, political influences, and social dynamics, on the leadership capabilities of student office holders. Through the analysis of the data collected, the research project aims to develop a set of recommendations and strategies to enhance the leadership qualities of students' union office holders in universities in Bayelsa State. These recommendations may include the implementation of leadership training programs, mentorship opportunities, and networking initiatives to support the growth and development of student leaders. By promoting the leadership qualities of student office holders, this research project seeks to empower young leaders to become effective agents of change in their communities and contribute to the overall societal development of Bayelsa State. The findings of this study will be valuable for educational institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in nurturing the leadership potential of young people for the betterment of society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Scope of the study
1.7.1 Significance of the study
1.8 Operational of Definitional Terms
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Theoretical framework
2.1.1. Leadership theories
2.2.1 Concept of student union
2.2.2 Student union leadership
2.2.3 Student unionism and societal development
2.2.4 Promoting student union leadership
2.3 Review of empirical studies
2.4 Summary of review of related literature
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODS
3.1 Design of the Study
3.2 Population for the Study
3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection
3.5 Validation of the Instrument
3.6 Reliability of the Instrument
3.7 Method of Data Collection
3.8 Method of Data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Result Presentation According to Research Questions
4.2 Research Hypotheses
4.3 Discussion of the findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of Study
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Contribution to Knowledge
5.5 Recommendation
5.6 Suggestions for Further Research
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
In all educational institution settings, some individuals assume leadership as in other formal organizations. In Nigeria, these students vary from the heads of the institution, unit heads, unions, student union leaders, class captains and level advisers. The level advisers’ role involves coordinating, directing, monitoring, guiding and influencing the behaviour of students towards the attainment of educational goals. The academic advising initiative had been conceptualized by many scholars in education and students’ academic advisory (McConnell, 2018). The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) (2020) opined that this is a role played by university representatives called academic advisors. They provide insight or guidance in the form of information, suggestion, counselling, coaching, mentoring or teaching to undergraduate students at university on socio-academic matters.
Student Union leadership is formed to promote and defend the welfare needs of the Students’ Community in Nigerian Tertiary Education System. Union leaders engage Government through dialogue on certain policies and the authorities of institutions to provide certain minimum services that will promote a sustained environment for academic interactions. This includes teaching, learning, social and research activities. Student Union Government (SUG) serves as the voice of the Students in all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. The Authorities through the Students’ Union Government is able to instill discipline and know the feelings and request of the student. This view is corroborated by Ekekwem (2016), student Unionism is the system of practice or principle and theory of labour Union in an educational setting to pursue students’ interest. A Student Union Leader is a person appointed in a Care-Taker Committee or who emerges through an election to rule or guide and inspire the student body or student community in a representative capacity. Usually, a student Union leader holds a position in the Executive Council for a stipulated period of time defined by the Union’s constitution.
Generally, majority of our students in Tertiary Institutions are young men and women, best described as Youths, and they constitute the most vibrant and resourceful group in society, Isah (1991). They are valuable assets indispensable and invaluable to the growth and development of the society. Youths are fragile, vernal, vulnerable and sensitive to stimulus and can be easily influenced positively or negatively. Students need to form associations and come together as a union to discover their personal competences, attributes, worth, resilience, assert their opinions on issues, take independent positions, ask questions about issues and express their passion in a well-organized environment. This view is supported by Alada (2011), who stated that it is the students’ unions that assist students to develop their organizational abilities and strength of character that prepare them for higher responsibility in the near future. A good student union leadership provides the leverage for the student community to strive into the socio-economic and political spheres of the institution and the larger society.
Chris (2014) indicated that the promotion of the representative role of students’ unions leadership has great importance in societal development. Good students’ leadership shapes the day-to-day lives of members which projects them into broader political or social concerns that may be more aligned with an ‘activist’ agenda. This was supported in the findings of Paul (2014), the increasing convergence between the values and priorities of students’ unions and senior management (as a result of similar pressures coming to bear on both parties), suggests that fewer spaces are now available within higher education institutions from which to offer a radical challenge to either local or national policy.
The promotion of the leadership quality of student union in tertiary schools will increase in students the preparation, adoption and implementation of management decisions concerning livelihoods among students in tertiary institution to face the society at large (Nakkubua, Phutiariyawat, & Koolnaphadol, 2022). Therefore, leadership quality of student union boosts societal development by creating opportunity to acquire managerial skills, develop leadership skills, innovative thinking, independence, responsibility, mobility, competitiveness, represent and defend the interests of young people, as well as the factor of personal and professional formation of the future specialist.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The tertiary institution is known to be a major stakeholder in societal development, the goal of the tertiary institutions is to raise public awareness for decision making, responsible behaviours, produce highly skilled manpower in graduates. Student union leadership is designed not just to give room to students to participate in the administration of the school but to train students towards societal development.
Since, student union leadership represents the leadership pattern in broader society, therefore the quality of leadership plays significant role on the student community which in turn affects societal development. Although, studies have been done on the impact of student union and academic performance, Isa (2018) discussed the role of students’ union government and campus politics for the sole purpose of promoting general welfare of students, unity, orderliness, and to serve as a link with the university management and government authorities at various levels. However, none dwelt on the promotion of student union leadership quality in tertiary schools. This constitute a gap in literature; hence this study is designed to fill it by investigating in the quality of student union leadership in Bayelsa state and how its promotion influences societal development.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to seek examine the quality of leadership among students’ union leadership in tertiary schools in Bayelsa state and how the promotion affects societal development. This study will specifically the following objectives:
- To investigate factors responsible for quality leadership
- Examine the leadership challenges in the student union in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa state
- To find out ways of promoting quality leadership in the student union in tertiary schools in Bayelsa state
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions guide this study
- What are the factors responsible for quality leadership in tertiary schools in Bayelsa state?
- What are the leadership challenges confronting the student union in tertiary schools in Bayelsa?
- In what ways do student union leadership promote societal development?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
- There is no significant relationship between the mean response of male and female students on the factors responsible for quality leadership in tertiary schools in Bayelsa state
- There is no significant relationship between the leadership quality of students’ union and societal development
1.6 Scope of the study
This study will be conducted in Federal University Otuoke and Niger Delta University. The study will be delimited to student union government (SUG) executives in these university. the study shall cover the factors responsible for quality leadership, the leadership challenges confronting the student union and ways of promoting quality leadership in the student union in tertiary schools in Bayelsa state
1.7 Significance of the study
The findings of the study will be of great benefits to students’ union leaders, school management and the society at large. This study will encourage leaders of student union in tertiary institutions to portray good leadership qualities that bring out economic, political, social and cultural transformation in the society. The findings of this study will encourage management in tertiary schools to evaluate and properly monitor the activities of student unionist in order to achieve the vision statement and brooding leaders that would develop the societies.
The findings of this study will provide various ways student union leadership contributes to the development of the society. This will enable stakeholders, such as government and NGOs to sponsor activities that would promote the qualities of leadership in students’ union for societal development. The content of the study will also serve as resource materials for others who want to carry out further research. Findings in this study will also serve as a source of reference for other researchers who may want to conduct the same or similar study in other areas.
1.8 Operational of Definitional Terms
Leadership qualities
This is the ability to delegate, inspire and communicate effectively.
Leadership challenges
These are factors that tends to militate the effectiveness and the performance of leadership system.
Promoting leadership
This is an act of developing activities that involves advancement, generally doled out to produce strong results.
Student union leadership
Group of persons who emerges through an election or appointed by a caretaker committee to rule or guide and inspire the student body or student community in a representative capacity.
Student union office holder
This refers to a student elected into an executive position in the student union, or appointed by an elected member of the union or selected by the institution management to oversee a position.
Student union
The umbrella association of students in a higher institution of learning, created for the purpose of promoting and guarding the interest of students.
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