A Professor of Public Administration at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Francis Chikeleze, has identified poor ownership perception as the bane of public sectors in Nigeria.

 

Prof. Chikeleze noted that the way human capital which drives the public sector programmes perceive their ownership of the public service, determines its performance and those of other sectors of the economy which depend on it.

 

He made the disclosure while delivering the 50th inaugural lecture of ESUT on the topic: ‘Extreme Ownership and Public Sector Management: Issues in Human Capital Management,’ at the Barr Ndubuisi Mbah Multipurpose Hall, ESUT, on 28^th August, 2025.

He noted that the inability of the public sector to meet its obligations and responsibilities in providing good leadership, level-playing ground are the reasons for the failure of other subsector.

 

While explaining the concept of Extreme Ownership, he noted that it denotes a “mindset where individuals take complete responsibility and ownership for their actions, decisions, and their outcomes.” He further explained that the concept demands that leaders must be embodiment of qualities they want to see in those they lead in terms of discipline, professionalism, or accountability.

 

Prof. Chikeleze, recommended that leaders should be made to be accountable and responsible for their actions, decisions, outcomes as well as that of their subordinates, adding that there should equally be clear vision and measurable contributions which drive the public service.

 

He further recommended greater employee participation in decision making as well as transparent recruitment processes based on merit.

 

In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, noted that there cannot be sustainable development in any society if the human capital is unharnessed.

 

He also stated that adopting a mix model in private/public sector management may result in sustainable development of all sectors of the economy because it would channel the human capital towards productive ends.

The highpoint of the lecture was the institution of Prof Francis Okechukwu Chikeleze Merit Awards for the best graduating students in Public Administration and Pediatrics. The awards were powered by Ace Intercontinental Research Institute.