What Role Does the Strength of Character of Institutions Play in the Planning and Leadership of Public Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria?
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Abstract
This study examined the role of strength of character of institutions in shaping the planning and leadership of public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Institutional character strength, defined by core ethical values and principles, significantly influences decision-making processes, governance, and stakeholder engagement within universities. This research highlighted how strength of character facilitates effective planning and leadership, enabling university leaders to navigate challenges such as funding constraints and political pressures. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of character in promoting academic integrity and community engagement, which ultimately contributes to the long-term sustainability and reputation of public universities. Through qualitative review and quantitative analysis, a self-structured questionnaire tagged the “Strength of Character of Institutions” was developed to assess stakeholders’ perceptions of the strength of character of institutions. The study’s sample size of 600 was determined using Cochran's formula, the respondents include faculty members, non-academic staff, and doctoral students respectively. The internal consistency questionnaire was verified using Cronbach's alpha and reliability indices of α = .916 and .887 was obtained respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Kendall’s Tau-b was employed test the hypotheses at .05 level of significant level. This study found that institutions with robust character do not only enhance their operational effectiveness but also prepare faculty members, administrative staff and students to become ethical leaders. The findings emphasized the necessity of integrating character education into university curricula and leadership training programs, which will position strength of character as a foundational element for successful planning and governance in public universities. This study contributed to the broader discourse on higher education management and the ethical responsibilities of academic institutions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Stella Cheta-Maclean, Nwachukwu Prince Ololube (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Stella Cheta-Maclean, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria.
Department of Educational Management,
Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria.
Nwachukwu Prince Ololube, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria.
Department of Educational Management,
Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria.
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