Challenges of leading change in higher education institutions: Evidence from Nigeria

Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in producing the skilled workforce necessary for a nation's holistic development. Achieving this mandate requires academic leaders to effectively embrace and manage change to address the diverse expectations of stakeholders. In meeting the targeted goals of higher education, academic leaders face numerous hurdles from various sectors. This study explores the challenges faced by academic leaders in navigating change within higher education institutions. It utilizes the theories of change leadership and planned change as a framework, which emphasize the importance of understanding the need for change, mobilizing support, executing initiatives, and building capacity for sustained transformation. These theories are applied within the context of a developing nation. Developed based on the interpretivism paradigm, this study aims to understand the phenomenon of change implementation and its impact on higher education institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria, from the perspective of academic leadership. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research captures insights from twenty academic leaders. The findings reveal that economic, human, social, political, and resource-related challenges frequently impede the successful implementation of change. The study underscores the importance of engaging qualified personnel, fostering self-reforms, and adhering to principles of good governance to overcome these challenges and achieve institutional goals.