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Original Research Article

Leadership Style and Academic Staff Motivation in a Military-Affiliated Tertiary Institution: Evidence from Nigeria

Ohalete Chibuzor Sunday, Ahuchogu Gladys Obinna, Amaraihu Precious

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Ohalete Chibuzor Sunday Corresponding Author

Department of Economics, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria; Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, Owerrinta, Abia State, Nigeria

Correspondence: ohaletesunday@gmail.com

Received
31 Aug 2026
Published
10 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between leadership style and academic staff motivation at the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance (NNCAF), Owerrinta, Abia State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on Self-Determination Theory, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, and Path-Goal Theory. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and a census approach was used to cover the institution's 52 academic staff. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire, with all 52 distributed questionnaires returned and found usable, representing a 100% response rate. Leadership style was operationalized as a composite construct encompassing communication, participation, support, encouragement, and direction. Academic staff motivation was examined through five dimensions: rewards, recognition, promotion, job satisfaction, and career development. Descriptive statistics and five separate simple linear regression models were employed. The findings show that leadership style was positively associated with all five motivational outcomes. However, the relationship with rewards was not statistically significant at the 5% level (B = 0.2997, p = .0512, R² = .0739). Significant positive relationships were found with recognition (B = 0.5144, p = .0004, R² = .2244), promotion (B = 0.5399, p = .0006, R² = .2112), job satisfaction (B = 0.7532, p < .001, R² = .3942), and career development (B = 0.7164, p < .001, R² = .3541). Job satisfaction recorded the highest explanatory power, followed by career development, recognition, promotion, and rewards. The findings suggest that leadership may be particularly relevant to relational, experiential, and developmental dimensions of academic staff motivation, whereas formal financial rewards may be more strongly influenced by institutional structures beyond the immediate control of academic leaders. The study recommends transparent advancement procedures, structured professional development, participatory communication, supportive supervision, and systematic non-monetary recognition mechanisms.

Keywords: Leadership Style, Academic Staff Motivation, Job Satisfaction, Recognition, Promotion, Career Development, Tertiary Education, Nigeria

How to Cite

APA

Sunday, O. C., Obinna, A. G., & Precious, A. (2026). Leadership Style and Academic Staff Motivation in a Military-Affiliated Tertiary Institution: Evidence from Nigeria. British Journal of Advanced Research, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-3XRRH5PS

MLA

Sunday, Ohalete Chibuzor, Ahuchogu Gladys Obinna, and Amaraihu Precious. "Leadership Style and Academic Staff Motivation in a Military-Affiliated Tertiary Institution: Evidence from Nigeria." British Journal of Advanced Research, vol. 1, no. 3, 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-3XRRH5PS

Chicago

Sunday, Ohalete Chibuzor, Ahuchogu Gladys Obinna, and Amaraihu Precious. "Leadership Style and Academic Staff Motivation in a Military-Affiliated Tertiary Institution: Evidence from Nigeria." British Journal of Advanced Research 1, no. 3 (2026). https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-3XRRH5PS

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ISSN 3153-709X
Tracking ID BJAR_AUG_26_049
Article No. 019
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Article Info
Journal BJAR
Volume Vol 1, No 3
Year 2026
Type Original Research Article
Licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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