Assessing Autocratic Leadership Behaviour of Principals of Secondary Schools of South-Eastern Region of Nigeria and Academic Achievement of Students

The leadership behaviour demonstrated by principals of secondary schools affect directly or indirectly the academic achievement of students. Autocratic leadership style/behaviour is one of such leadership behaviours which principals in secondary schools adopt in day-to-day administration of their schools. This paper attempts to assess autocratic leadership behaviour of principals in the south-eastern states of Nigeria and its impact on achieving academic success by the students. Thus, this research sets out to identify how autocratic leadership behaviour of principals could promote teaching and learning processes in schools. It also examines the negative impact of autocratic leadership styles of principals. The researcher made use of descriptive and case study designs of autocratic leadership behaviours viz-a-viz academic achievement. Empirical studies carried out on autocratic leadership behaviours as well as theoretical studies were equally examined. The findings showed that autocratic leadership by principals were used to achieve urgent needs of the school while on the other hand alienates subordinates from participating in administration of schools. The researchers recommended among others that autocratic leadership behaviours should be used sparily as the need arises; while liberalizing administration for everybody to participate.