INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP AS A CATALYST FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA'S PUBLIC SECTOR

In the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s public sector, the demand for efficient and responsive service delivery necessitates a shift from traditional leadership models to more innovative approaches. This study investigates the role of innovative leadership as a transformative force in enhancing service delivery, using The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, as a case study. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of transformational, transactional, and distributed leadership, the research explores how innovation-driven leadership practices can reshape administrative performance, academic planning, and infrastructural development within public institutions. Through qualitative methodology and thematic analysis of secondary data, the study reveals that although there are emerging practices of digital transformation and participatory management at the Polytechnic, widespread implementation is hindered by systemic bureaucratic inertia, limited funding, and inconsistent leadership capacity. The findings underscore the significance of visionary and inclusive leadership styles that foster creativity, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic innovation. The research identifies a gap in existing literature concerning empirical analyses of innovative leadership within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. It contributes to filling this gap by providing context-specific insights into the interplay between leadership innovation and public sector performance. The study concludes that adopting innovative leadership is crucial for overcoming service delivery challenges in Nigerian public institutions. It recommends targeted leadership development, investment in ICT, decentralization of decision-making, and the incorporation of change management frameworks as essential strategies to foster an innovation-friendly environment.