Leadership Succession Planning and Institutional Stability in Secondary Schools in Katsina State

This study examines the relationship between leadership succession planning and institutional stability in public secondary schools in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. Leadership transitions in schools, when poorly managed, can precipitate periods of administrative uncertainty, staff demoralisation, and disruption to academic programmes. Succession planning, which involves the systematic identification and preparation of future leaders, is an underexplored dimension of secondary school administration in Nigerian contexts. The study employs a descriptive survey design and samples 180 principals, vice principals, and state education officials from 30 secondary schools across three senatorial zones in Katsina State. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews serve as data collection instruments, and analysis employs mean scores and regression analysis. The study draws on the Talent Management and Succession Planning Framework. Findings reveal that the majority of secondary schools in the sample lack formal succession plans, and that leadership transitions are frequently managed reactively. Schools with informal but functional mentoring and deputy principal development systems demonstrate greater continuity and stability during leadership changes. The study recommends the development and implementation of a formal succession planning policy for public secondary school leadership in Katsina State, administered through the State Secondary Education Board. Keywords: succession planning, institutional stability, leadership transition, secondary schools, Katsina State.