Managerial Competencies of Heads of Department in Business Education in Nigerian Universities in the South East Zone

This study assessed the managerial competencies of heads of Business Education departments in Nigerian universities in the South East geopolitical zone. The head of department is a pivotal academic administrator whose managerial effectiveness directly shapes departmental culture, programme quality, and faculty productivity. In the South East zone, which hosts numerous federal and state universities offering Business Education programmes, the competency levels of departmental heads have significant implications for academic excellence and institutional reputation. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 140 academic staff members serving under Business Education department heads in six universities across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. A sample of 70 staff was selected through stratified random sampling. A validated Managerial Competency Assessment Tool comprising 45 items in five competency domains was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate that department heads are rated highest in communication and interpersonal competencies but relatively low in strategic resource planning, performance management, and technology integration. Staff in universities with recently appointed younger heads reported higher satisfaction with departmental leadership. The study recommends that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and individual university management should design structured leadership development programmes for newly appointed heads of Business Education departments across the South East zone. Keywords: managerial competencies, heads of department, business education, universities, South East Nigeria