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Transparency, Accountability, And Ethical Leadership In Public enterprise Governance: A Nigerian Perspective
- FAKIYESI T. S. Ekiti State University
- FAKIYESI , O. A Bamidele Olumilua University, Ikere Ekiti
- OLUKOREDE B.B. Ekiti State University
- ADEWOYIN T. D. Ekiti State University
- Received May 2025, 1st Revision June 2025, Accepted July 2025, Published online: August 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the collective influence of transparency practices, accountability mechanisms, and ethical leadership on the governance effectiveness of public enterprises in Nigeria. Specifically, it evaluates the role of transparency, assesses the impact of accountability, and examines the contribution of ethical leadership to governance outcomes. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study targeted employees of selected federal and state-owned public enterprises located in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, cities chosen for their high concentration of key public institutions such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation 8(NNPC), Transmission
Company of Nigeria (TRCN), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). A total of 200 respondents were purposively selected from these enterprises using a multistage sampling technique. Within each enterprise, respondents were stratified across job levels, management, senior, and junior staff, and selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics, particularly simple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that transparency practices (β = 0.215; p = 0.041), accountability mechanisms (β = 0.188; p = 0.024), and ethical
leadership (β = 0.376; p = 0.046) all have positive and statistically significant effects on governance effectiveness in public
enterprises. These results suggest that strengthening these governance pillars contributes substantially to improved performance, stakeholder trust, and institutional integrity. The study concludes that enhancing transparency, enforcing accountability, and promoting ethical leadership are critical to effective governance in Nigeria’s public enterprises. It recommends policy and managerial reforms aimed at institutionalizing these practices for sustainable public sector performance.
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KEYWORDS: Transparency Practices, Accountability Mechanisms, Ethical Leadership, Governance Effectiveness, Public Enterprises.