Leadership Style and Employee Motivation in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines leadership style and employee motivation in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nigeria, with a focus on identifying the dominant leadership style, key factors influencing employee motivation, and challenges affecting leadership performance. A mixed methods research design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 272 staff members across eight departments of AMAC using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with departmental heads. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were employed for quantitative data, while qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that delegation (laissez-faire) and participative (democratic) leadership styles are the most dominant in AMAC, while autocratic leadership is minimally practiced. Employee motivation is significantly influenced by leadership behaviors such as inclusion in decision-making, recognition, transparency, and support. However, major challenges undermining leadership effectiveness and employee motivation include corruption, workers’ exclusion, ethnic and religious sentiment, and weak accountability systems. The study concludes that leadership style is a critical determinant of employee motivation and institutional performance in local government administration. It recommends improving leadership style toward a more transformational approach, timely financial obligations, career progression, and the adoption of ethical, participative, and employee-centered leadership practices to enhance employee motivation and improve service delivery in AMAC. The study contributes to public administration and leadership literature by providing empirical evidence from a Nigerian local government context.