Leadership Concepts Among the Idoma People of Nigeria

Leadership Concepts Among the Idoma People of Nigeria

Ejugwu Alapa Omakwu | 2025

Abstract

This study explored leadership phenomena by examining the lived experiences of individuals within the Idoma culture. A qualitative methodology guided the inquiry using a phenomenological research design. Data collection included in-depth, semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 participants all over the age of 50. Manual in vivo analysis provided insights into participants’ narratives. The analysis revealed six foundational themes of Idoma leadership: ethical integrity and personal character, humane and relational orientation, performance skills, decentralized power and participative processes, hierarchical paternalism, and gerontocracy. These themes supported an integrative definition of Idoma leadership as a layered and dynamic model. At the family and clan level, leadership reflects a hierarchical and paternalistic structure. In broader group settings, Idoma leadership integrates ethical integrity, relational inclusivity, participatory engagement, and gerontocratic values. The findings expanded the relevance of ethical, relational, and democratic leadership theories within African indigenous leadership philosophy. They also revealed nuanced constructs that move beyond the autocratic and paternalistic theories found in earlier research. These insights emphasize the need for continued exploration of indigenous African leadership frameworks.

Keywords: autocratic leadership, ethical leadership, gerontocracy, Idoma leadership, participative/democratic leadership, paternal leadership, relational leadership.