Management styles in libraries of University of Maiduguri and Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria: A comparative analysis

The paper examined, on a comparative basis, the management styles practised in Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library Complex, Federal University of Technology, Minna. A table of random numbers was used to select a sample size of 125 out of 208 personnel in the libraries. A sampling fraction of 60% was adopted to avoid bias and for a gain in precision of estimates among others. Of the 125 copies of the questionnaire administered on the personnel, 94 were retrieved and found usable, giving a response rate of 75.2%. Data was analysed using descriptive, Chi-square (X2) and t-test statistics. Findings revealed that, participative (democratic) and participative (authoritative) were the management styles predominantly practised by the libraries. There was a significant relationship between the styles practised but no significant difference between the application of practised styles in both libraries. It was established that though the National Universities Commission recommends participative management, no one management style can be applied in isolation; a combination of two or more of them work best. To this extent, recommendations were made on the basis of the findings.