AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL TACTICS DEPLOYED AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Globally, tertiary education are to contribute to the overall development of the nation by providing advanced training for highly skilled individuals, offering accessible and affordable quality education in both formal and informal settings that cater to the needs and interests of all Nigerians. In the opinion of Manasseh and Uyanga (2021) university education is pointed towards elivering excellent career guidance and lifelong learning programmes that equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency and employment, addressing skill shortages by producing competent professionals who meet the demands of the job market, promoting and fostering academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and community service, fostering national unity, and encouraging national and international cooperation and understanding. Conversely, the dynamics of power and influence within academic institutions, particularly in Federal Universities in Nigeria, have long been subjects of interest and concern. According to Gbadamosi (2020), academic institutions are expected to be bastions of knowledge, critical thinking, and ethical behavior. However, like any other organization, they are not immune to the play of politics and politics tactics, which can significantly shape the professional lives of academic staff and the overall functioning of the institutions.

Office politics refers to the use of power and social networking within an organization to achieve changes that benefit individuals or groups, often at the expense of others (Vigoda-Gadot, 2020). Conversely, in the opinion of Ferdinand (2020) power and workplace politics manifest in organizations public sector, from governing how decisions, are made to how employees interact with one another. Similarly, Chaudhary (2022) observed that organizational politics is endemic to organizations because people come to work situations with many goals, not just one unified goal. These goals invoke conflict and competition among workers in the organization, thus he argued that organizational politics involves amassing organizational power for personal benefits, rather than organizational objectives which when these expectations are not met, triggered negative emotions and dissatisfaction. However, the impact of power and politics depends on whether employees use positive or negative power to influence others in the workplace. Office politics, defined as the use of power and social networking within an organization to achieve personal goals (Bacharach, 2019), can create a challenging work environment that affects employeeOn the other hand, political tactics refer to the strategies and maneuvers employed by individuals or groups within an organization to gain influence, secure resources, and achieve personal or group objectives, often through manipulation or leveraging power dynamics (Vigoda-Gadot, 2021)

Evidently, in Nigerian universities, academic staff may adopt various political tactics to navigate the complex hierarchical structures and competition for limited resources. For example, staff members may form strategic alliances with influential colleagues or administrators to secure favorable positions, funding, or promotions (Obasi, 2019). They may also engage in lobbying, where they advocate for their interests or attempt to sway decision-making processes in their favor (Omole, 2020). Additionally, withholding information or leveraging confidential knowledge can be used to influence outcomes or gain an advantage over peers. These tactics are employed to manage career progression and access resources in an environment where institutional support is often limited and competitive (Onyeizugbe, 2023). Omole (2020) pointed that academic staff in Universities particularly, public universitie may engage in various forms of political tactics, such as forming alliances, lobbying, withholding information, and manipulating decision-making processes to gain favorable outcomes, such as promotions, research funding, and leadership positions of which the impact of these political tactics can have effect on academic environment. 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In recent times, the use of political tactics among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria is a growing concern, as it has the potential to undermine the core values of academic integrity, collegiality, and excellence. In a study by Aina & Olude (2020), the prevalence of political tactics adoption is bas on the premise that the hierarchical structure of universities, coupled with the intense competition for limited resources and opportunities, creates an environment where political maneuvering becomes commonplace. These often lead academic staff to go beyond measure engaging various forms of political tactics, such as forming alliances, manipulating information, and exerting influence over decision-making processes to achieve personal or group objectives. These tactics can have far-reaching implications for the academic environment, leading to the erosion of trust, the creation of factions, and a decline in the quality of education and research (Onyeizugbe, 2023).

Empirical studies have highlighted the prevalence of political behavior in organizations and its impact on employee outcomes. For example, Edidiong and Kufre (2023) found that political tactics in organizations often lead to negative outcomes, such as reduced job satisfaction, increased stress, and higher turnover intentions among employees. In the context of Nigerian universities, where academic staff already face numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and heavy workloads, the added burden of navigating political tactics can further exacerbate these issues, leading to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a decline in productivity, as added by Babalola (2018). However, despite the growing concerns about the impact of political tactics on the academic environment, there has been limited empirical research on this issue within the context of Federal Universities in Nigeria. On the other hand, Ikpeama & Eromole (2024) argued that one of the key challenges in addressing the problem of political tactics in Nigerian universities is the lack of awareness and understanding of the factors that drive these behaviors and their implications for the academic environment. 

Regardless, existing studies on academic staff in Nigeria usually focus on issues such as job satisfaction, professional development, and the challenges of research and teaching, with little attention given to the role of political tactics in shaping the experiences and outcomes of academic staff. This gap in the literature highlights the need for a more comprehensive analysis of the political tactics deployed among academic staff in Nigerian Federal Universities, particularly in terms of their impact on the academic environment and the factors that contribute to their prevalence. Against this backdrop, the current research aims to address this gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the political tactics deployed among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study is focused on in-depth analysis of the political tactics deployed among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks:

To examine the various political tactics deployed among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

To identify the factors that drive the use of political tactics among academic staff in these institutions.

To assess the impact of political tactics on the academic environment in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

What are the political tactics deployed among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria?

What factors drive the use of political tactics among academic staff in these institutions?

How do political tactics impact the academic environment and staff morale in Federal Universities in Nigeria?

1.5 Hypotheses

Ho: The deployment of political tactics among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria has no significant impact on the academic environment.

Hi: The deployment of political tactics among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria has a significant impact on the academic environment

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to provide both practical and theoretical contributions to the understanding of political behavior in academic institutions, particularly in Federal Universities in Nigeria. Practically, the findings of this study can inform university administrators, policymakers, and academic staff about the prevalence and impact of political tactics within Nigerian Federal Universities. By understanding the factors that drive these tactics and their implications for the academic environment, stakeholders can develop strategies to promote a more positive and productive academic culture, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education and research in these institutions.

Theoretically, this study contributes to the existing literature on organizational behavior and political tactics by addressing a critical gap in the research on political behavior within academic institutions in Nigeria. By focusing on the Nigerian context, the study provides a unique perspective on how political tactics manifest in academic settings and their impact on the academic environment. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for further research on political behavior in other organizational settings, particularly in developing countries, and contribute to the development of more effective management practices in academic institutions.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to the investigation of political tactics deployed among academic staff in Federal Universities in Nigeria. The content scope includes an examination of the types of political tactics used by academic staff, the factors driving these tactics, and their impact on the academic environment and staff morale. The study does not cover political behavior in state or private universities, nor does it address political tactics among non-academic staff. Geographically, the study focused on University of Uyo, Uyo.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

Like every academic endeavor, the study is not void of limitation. One of the limitations of this study is the potential for response bias among academic staff when discussing their experiences with political tactics. Given the sensitive nature of the topic, some respondents may be reluctant to disclose their true opinions or may provide socially desirable responses. To mitigate this limitation, the study will ensure the anonymity of respondents and use multiple data collection methods, including interviews and surveys, to enhance the reliability of the findings.

Another limitation is the focus on Federal University in Uyo, Akwaibom State, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other federal universities or academic institutions in different regions countries. However, the study aims to provide a detailed and context-specific analysis of political tactics within Nigerian Federal Universities, which can serve as a valuable case study for understanding similar issues in other academic settings. Future research could expand on this study by exploring political tactics in state or private universities or by comparing the experiences of academic staff in different countries.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Office Politics:  This is the use of power and social networking within an organization to achieve changes that benefit individuals or groups, often at the expense of others.

Political Tactics: The strategies employed by individuals or groups within an organization to gain power, secure resources, and achieve personal or collective goals, often at the expense of others.

Federal University: These are government owned tertiary university, which aims to contribute to the progress of the nation by providing advanced training for skilled professionals, enhancing individuals' intellectual capacity to comprehend their surroundings, and equipping them with both physical and intellectual abilities to become self-sufficient and valuable members of society.

Academic Staff: Academic staff members refer to the faculty that are responsible for teaching in tertiary institutions. The individuals in question are commonly referred to as lecturers. They engage in three primary tasks inside the institutions, including teaching, researching, and providing community services.

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