LEADERS STRATEGIC PLANNING TO ATTAIN UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY: A STUDY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

The paper focused on leaders’ strategic plan to attain university autonomy. Two research questions were set to guide the study. The population of the study was eight (8) deans from the eight faculties in the University of Abuja. The sample of the study was eight (8) deans sampled using purposive sampling technique. The validity of the instrument was carried out by the lecturers in the Department of Educational Management. The reliability was carried out by giving two (2) respondents the instruments to respond. Test-retest method of reliability was applied to test the stability of scores over time. Cronbach alpha statistics was used to determine the internal consistency The reliability index score of 0.76 was obtained by applying Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Spearman Rank Order Correlation coefficient statistics. Mean statistic was used to analyze the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that the university academic leaders have acquired the knowledge of strategic planning but they did not attain university autonomy. Based on the findings of the study the researchers recommended that the academic leaders should utilize the knowledge they have from strategic planning to apply the strategies of strategic planning to establish university autonomy.