HE WOMAN KING: NANSICA AS AN IDEAL LEADER IN THE CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

Although there are various international and national legislations against the discrimination of persons on account of their gender, race, religion and other similar social status, in Nigeria, women are still excluded from occupying certain leadership positions politically and otherwise. Many studies have been done in poor leadership or leadership crisis in Nigeria. However, very few of them focused on the impact of gender on leadership styles, outcomes and qualities. Moreover, such previous studies were neither multidisciplinary in nature nor multidimensional in approach. Thus, the present study investigated the differences between the leadership styles of women and men as well as the impact of gender on leadership outcomes and leadership qualities. Using a sample size of 400, the study adopted mixed method research design with Survey and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as instruments for data collection. Findings revealed that gender has impact on leadership styles and outcomes because it can influence the brain’s structure and operation and by extension personality of individuals, and that due to variations among individuals of both genders at group level, some individuals in both genders, would exhibit leadership qualities naturally ascribed to the other gender. The implication of the finding is that the society should look out for candidates with relevant leadership qualities, regardless of their genders, who can take their groups to greater heights. The study therefore recommended gender rotational leadership system and more enlightenment to challenge societal stereotypes and biases against women in leadership roles.