Ethical Leadership for Nigeria’s Development: An Ibibio Virtue Ethics Approach

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to show the application of Ibibio (African) ethics in solving major moral problems in Nigeria’s leadership crisis. In Ibibio traditional society, the shared norms are what define the culture of the Ibibio people. Prohibitions concerning issues like stealing, embezzlement of public funds, and corruption, among others attract societal disapproval and punishment, serving as a deterrent to others and thus engendering positive values through abstention. What held the nation back and has continued to do so is rooted in the lack of ethical leadership. The greatest issue in leadership in Africa, particularly Nigeria, is that of moral  bankruptcy – a complete lack of ethics and ethical principles among leaders. African ethics was employed to chieve the purpose of the paper. This work argues that the non-existence of ethics in leadership promotes unethical behaviour among leaders and followers such as the present condition of uncommon looting and corruption in the country. This paper concludes that sustainable development would be illusive unless there is a paradigm shift from the present self-centred leadership paradigm to African ethics and principles as exemplified in Ibibio ethical leadership.
KEYWORDS: Ibibio Ethics, Leadership, Nigeria’s Development, Corruption, Ethical leadership, Virtue-based
Ethics