Transformational Leadership as a Better Alternative to Micromanagement in Private Universities in Nigeria

The article aimed to investigate how the positive attributes of transformational leadership (TFL) could replace the negative impacts of micromanagement in private universities in Nigeria. Micromanagement has been observed to negatively affect the productivity, morale, job satisfaction, innovation and self-efficacy of employees of private universities. The systematic literature review was employed to answer the research questions through which findings from studies on micromanagement and TFL were synthesised and analysed. Results show that micromanagement has been applied in private universities in Nigeria and is less effective and productive than TFL in the educational sector. The research charged leaders and founders of private universities in Nigeria to apply less micromanagement and more of the attributes of TFL in the administration of these institutions. The article also recommended that the Nigerian Government establish policies that could address excessive micromanagement by top leaders of private universities in the country.