INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025

Page 5264

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Institutional Leadership in Sierra Leonean Higher Education:

Governance, Administration, and Threats to Stability

Mohamed Suffian Kamara

, Emmanuel Dumbuya

, James Saysay Kanu

M.Ed., B.Ed., H.T.C(Sec),T.C, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology Sierra Leone

M.Ed., B.Ed., Njala University

M.Ed., B.Ed., DAE, CAE, H.T.C(Primary), T.C Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and

Technology Sierra Leone

Corresponding Author

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100417

Received: 10 November 2025; Accepted: 16 November 2025; Published: 13 December 2025

ABSTRACT

Universities in Sierra Leone play a pivotal role in national development, yet their operations are often hampered

by fragile governance environments, administrative inefficiencies, and political interference. This study

investigates the systemic pressures confronting these higher education institutions, focusing on leadership

vulnerabilities, corruption, and union dynamics. Using documentary analysis of policy reports, institutional

records, and media accounts (2010–2024), and applying principles of good governance and institutional theory,

findings reveal that institutional leadership is precariously situated, with unresolved tensions often escalating into

crises. This situation, though reflecting observable patterns across Sub-Saharan Africa, is exacerbated by Sierra

Leone’s post-conflict context and chronic underinvestment. The study confirms that failures of good governance

(transparency, accountability) create institutional instability. Key recommendations include strengthening

governance frameworks, depoliticizing leadership appointments, implementing digital administrative systems,

and empowering staff and student unions as independent accountability actors. Addressing these systemic issues

is crucial for enhancing institutional resilience and sustaining higher education's contribution to national

transformation.

Keywords: Higher education, governance, leadership, administration, Sierra Leone, institutional reform

INTRODUCTION

Leadership in higher education is critical for institutional stability, academic quality, and public trust (Altbach,

Reisberg, & de Wit, 2019). In Sierra Leone, higher education is vital for post-conflict reconstruction and human

capital development. However, universities face persistent challenges stemming from weak governance systems,

severe administrative inefficiencies, and pervasive political interference (Jones & Osei, 2024; World Bank, 2023).

These pressures undermine institutional credibility and heighten vulnerability to crises, creating a fragile reality

where even minor disputes can ignite institutional instability.

This paper seeks to answer the following research questions:

 What governance and administrative challenges confront universities in Sierra Leone?

 How do corruption and political interference affect institutional leadership and credibility?

 What role do staff and student unions play in shaping institutional stability?

 What reforms are needed to enhance governance, leadership, and accountability in Sierra Leonean higher

education?

By addressing these questions, the study contributes empirically grounded insights to the broader discourse on

higher education leadership in fragile and developing contexts.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025

Page 5265

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Conceptual Lens

This study employs good governance theory and institutional theory to analyze the challenges facing university

leadership.

Good Governance Theory provides the normative framework for assessing institutional effectiveness. We

define good governance in this context by the presence of accountability, transparency, adherence to the rule of

law, and efficiency. The analysis seeks to interpret governance gaps as measurable failures to meet these

principles, linking the absence of transparency directly to the escalation of conflict and instability described in

the findings.

Institutional Theory helps interpret the environmental pressures on universities. It explains how higher

education institutions (HEIs) in Sierra Leone struggle to adapt to political and social environments that prioritize

patronage over meritocracy. This lens highlights that the observed administrative inefficiencies are not merely

operational failures but often strategic adaptations—or malpractices—that allow institutions to conform to

external political demands, thereby weakening their internal integrity and autonomy (isomorphism). This

combined theoretical approach allows us to move beyond simply describing challenges to explaining why they

persist and how they compromise institutional legitimacy.

METHODOLOGY

This research employs documentary analysis, focusing on policy documents, institutional records, government

reports (e.g., World Bank), peer-reviewed studies, and credible media accounts (2010–2024). Data were subjected

to thematic analysis, identifying recurrent patterns in governance gaps, administrative inefficiencies, corruption,

and union dynamics. Contextual narratives from media were used to illustrate lived realities.

Limitation and Future Research: While documentary analysis provides a broad, contextual overview, its

exclusive reliance on secondary sources limits the richness and validity of the findings regarding specific

leadership behaviors. The study strongly recommends that future research employ a qualitative or mixed-

methods approach, utilizing primary data (interviews and surveys) with institutional actors (leaders, staff,

and students) to triangulate these findings and provide a deeper, more robust understanding of lived

experiences and decision-making processes.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

1. Governance Failures and Accountability Deficit

Decision-making in Sierra Leonean universities is frequently opaque and disproportionately influenced by

external political actors. Oversight bodies often lack the necessary independence and enforcement power, directly

contravening the principles of good governance. This institutional weakness allows mismanagement, such as

prolonged tenure of unqualified officials or non-compliance with statutory regulations, to persist unchecked. The

absence of clear, enforceable accountability structures fuels the volatility that characterizes the sector.

2. Institutional Response to Political Environments (Administrative Inefficiencies)

Administrative operations are severely hindered by bureaucratic delays and outdated systems. The reliance on

manual processes for human resource management and financial tracking perpetuates inefficiency, a direct

consequence of institutions failing to modernize and adapt to contemporary administrative standards. From an

institutional theory perspective, the persistent lack of modern e-governance systems suggests that there are

powerful, non-rational pressures (often political or cultural) preventing the adoption of more efficient systems

that would increase transparency. This inertia frustrates stakeholders and serves as a major contributing factor to

institutional unrest.

3. Corruption and the Erosion of Legitimacy

Financial irregularities, favoritism in recruitment, and procurement mismanagement are widespread issues. These

acts of corruption represent profound breaches of ethical leadership and the fundamental principles of good

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025

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governance (specifically accountability and transparency). High-profile cases of misused funds spark staff strikes

and student protests, immediately disrupting academic calendars. Comparatively, while corruption is an

acknowledged issue across Sub-Saharan Africa (Teferra, 2021), Sierra Leone's context—marked by high

dependence on post-conflict donor funding and weak internal controls—renders the HEI system uniquely

vulnerable, severely compromising institutional integrity and public confidence.

4. The Complex Role of Union Dynamics

Staff and student unions, while formally intended as accountability actors, often struggle to maintain

independence. Political co-optation and limited capacity (Maganga & Nkhoma, 2020) can compromise their role

as legitimate checks on power. When unions are co-opted or politicized, they cease to function as participatory

mechanisms of good governance. Consequently, instead of serving as constructive mediators in disputes, they

sometimes become vehicles for partisan interests, leading to prolonged institutional crises that further destabilize

the university environment.

IMPLICATIONS

The findings confirm that leadership in Sierra Leonean universities operates in a volatile environment akin to “a

keg of gunpowder.” The root cause of this volatility is the systemic failure of good governance, which creates

structural vulnerabilities that political and corrupt forces exploit. As suggested by Salmi (2022), institutional

resilience requires a deliberate shift toward ethical leadership, fortified governance structures, and the

empowerment of genuinely independent accountability actors to successfully navigate external pressures and

build public trust.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Sierra Leone’s higher education institutions are critically constrained by fragile governance, administrative

inefficiencies, and corruption, all compounded by weak accountability structures. Without urgent, targeted

reforms that address the theoretical failures identified by good governance and institutional theory, stability will

remain elusive and educational quality will continue to decline.

Recommendation Summary:

Reform Priority

Action

Good Governance

Principle Addressed

Strengthen

Governance

Establish independent oversight bodies with robust enforcement

power; institutionalize transparent decision-making processes.

Accountability,

Transparency

Depoliticize

Leadership

Ensure merit-based recruitment and promotion for all senior

academic and administrative roles; limit political interference

through clear policy reforms.

Rule of Law,

Efficiency

Digitalize

Administration

Introduce integrated e-governance systems to streamline HR,

finance, and communication functions.

Efficiency,

Transparency

Empower

Unions

Provide comprehensive training in negotiation and mediation;

safeguard union independence from external political manipulation.

Participation,

Accountability

Enhance

Capacity

Train administrators in governance ethics, resource management,

and conflict resolution.

Efficiency,

Accountability

Increase

Investment

Allocate sustainable funding for infrastructure, research, and

capacity-building.

Sustainability

By prioritizing these reforms, Sierra Leonean universities can reduce instability, restore public trust, and

strengthen their essential role as resilient engines of national transformation.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025

Page 5267

www.rsisinternational.org

REFERENCES

1. Altbach, P. G., Reisberg, L., & de Wit, H. (2019). Trends in global higher education: Tracking an

academic revolution. Brill.

2. Jones, S., & Osei, M. (2024). Academic leadership and institutional credibility in West Africa. Journal of

Higher Education in Africa, 22(1), 45–62.

3. Maganga, F., & Nkhoma, B. (2020). Governance challenges in African universities. Higher Education

Policy, 33(4), 567–583. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-020-00189-7

4. Salmi, J. (2022). Leadership and governance in developing world universities. Studies in Higher

Education, 47(12), 2471–2486. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1948523

5. Teferra, D. (2021). Corruption in African higher education: Patterns and consequences. International

Journal of Educational Development, 82, 102371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102371

6. World Bank. (2023). Tertiary education governance and accountability in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Washington, DC: World Bank.