Research Article
Open Access
Executive Education and Leadership Agility in Nigeria’s Public Sector: Implications for Adaptive Governance and State Capacity
Abstract
Despite high levels of investment in attempts to strengthen the institution, the performance of the public sector continues to be weak in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to explore the level of contribution of executive education to add value to governance in Nigeria's public administration in terms of leadership agility. Based on the above theories, the study is grounded on the Human Capital Theory and the Adaptive Governance Theory, which is used to reflect on the role of leadership training in achieving the effectiveness of an organisation and institutional adaptation.
The study adopted a qualitative documentary research design, which involved a reflexive thematic analysis of 42 policy documents, government documents and reports, institutional publications and development partner reports that were purposely selected. The results demonstrate that Executive education enhances leadership agility in three dimensions: strategic decision making, digital readiness, and crisis-response. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) evidence reveals improved leadership development which facilitated increased coordination between State Primary Health Care Boards and increased use of responsive feedback mechanisms. But the findings of the ministries in the Anambra State government and leadership trainings conducted through the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) suggest that in practice, new leadership skills are sometimes stifled by poor accountability mechanisms and lack of supportive framework within the organisation. On this basis, the improvement of individual leadership ability does not necessarily lead to a better performance of the institutions.
The study contributes to the Capacity–Structure Paradox, which posits that an increase of leadership capability may not lead to better governance outcomes where institution structures are weak. Overall, the study shows that executive education is not enough to transform governance and should be supported by organizational process and accountability system reform and improvements in digital governance systems. The results provide important lessons to the public sector reform and leadership development in Nigeria and other developing countries with governance challenges.
Keywords
Executive education, Leadership agility, Adaptive governance, State capacity, Digital governance, Public sector reform, Nigeria.
References
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Ansell, C., Sørensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic as a game changer for public administration and leadership? The need for robust governance responses to turbulent problems. Public Management Review, 23(7), 949–960. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2020.1820272
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Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Conger, J. A., & Xin, K. (2000). Executive education in the 21st century. Journal of Management Education, 24(1), 73–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/105256290002400106
Day, D. V. (2000). Leadership development: A review in context. Leadership Quarterly, 11(4), 581–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(00)00061-8
Folke, C., Hahn, T., Olsson, P., & Norberg, J. (2005). Adaptive governance of social–ecological systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 30, 441–473. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.30.050504.144511
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Moldoveanu, M. C., & Narayandas, D. (2019). The future of executive education. Oxford University Press.
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Institutional and Policy Documents
Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). (2026). Training calendar: Developing competencies for a responsive, digital and results-driven public service. ASCON.
African Development Bank (AfDB). (2021). Governance report on public sector performance in Africa. AfDB.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). (2022). Reform and digitalisation report. CAC.
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). (2023). Annual report 2023. FIRS.
Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). (2026). Learning and development programme. NIM.
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). (2022). Federal public service reform evaluation report. OHCSF.
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). (2025). Federal civil service digitalisation strategy 2025–2030. OHCSF.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2022). Governance assessment report: Nigeria. UNDP.
World Bank. (2023). Nigeria governance review: Public sector performance and institutional reforms. World Bank.
World Bank. (2024). Nigeria development update: Governance, service delivery and institutional performance. World Bank.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Government at a glance 2023. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/3d5c5d31-en
Ansell, C., Sørensen, E., & Torfing, J. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic as a game changer for public administration and leadership? The need for robust governance responses to turbulent problems. Public Management Review, 23(7), 949–960. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2020.1820272
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. University of Chicago Press.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Conger, J. A., & Xin, K. (2000). Executive education in the 21st century. Journal of Management Education, 24(1), 73–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/105256290002400106
Day, D. V. (2000). Leadership development: A review in context. Leadership Quarterly, 11(4), 581–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(00)00061-8
Folke, C., Hahn, T., Olsson, P., & Norberg, J. (2005). Adaptive governance of social–ecological systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 30, 441–473. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.30.050504.144511
Fukuyama, F. (2013). What is governance? Governance, 26(3), 347–368. https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12035
Grindle, M. S. (2010). Good governance: The inflation of an idea. Harvard Kennedy School.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
Moldoveanu, M. C., & Narayandas, D. (2019). The future of executive education. Oxford University Press.
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.
Olowu, D. (2019). Public administration and public sector reforms in Africa. In E. Shizha & N. A. Makuvaza (Eds.), African perspectives on governance and public administration (pp. 45–62). Palgrave Macmillan.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Van Wart, M., Roman, A., Wang, X., & Liu, C. (2020). Integrating ICT adoption issues into public administration education and leadership development. Teaching Public Administration, 38(2), 120–137. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739420904471
Institutional and Policy Documents
Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). (2026). Training calendar: Developing competencies for a responsive, digital and results-driven public service. ASCON.
African Development Bank (AfDB). (2021). Governance report on public sector performance in Africa. AfDB.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). (2022). Reform and digitalisation report. CAC.
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). (2023). Annual report 2023. FIRS.
Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). (2026). Learning and development programme. NIM.
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). (2022). Federal public service reform evaluation report. OHCSF.
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). (2025). Federal civil service digitalisation strategy 2025–2030. OHCSF.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2022). Governance assessment report: Nigeria. UNDP.
World Bank. (2023). Nigeria governance review: Public sector performance and institutional reforms. World Bank.
World Bank. (2024). Nigeria development update: Governance, service delivery and institutional performance. World Bank.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Government at a glance 2023. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/3d5c5d31-en