Ethnic Influence on Leadership Process in Multi-ethnic Societies: An Analysis of the Nigerian Baptist Convention’s Apex Leadership

Abstract

Incontrovertibly, multicultural religious institutions, and particularly the Nigerian church, have been entangled with ethnic issues in their leadership processes. Consequently, such a self-limiting syndrome affects the church and the immediate society. Therefore, this study investigated perspectives of ethnic influence on leadership processes in multi-ethnic societies with particular reference to the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The paper relied on a mixed-methods approach, utilising a semi-structured survey questionnaire administered to 20 Yoruba and Non-Yoruba pastors and in-depth interviews with 6 key informants (3 Yoruba and 3 Non-Yoruba Pastors). The research findings identified a subtle ethnic influence on the apex leadership selection process in the Nigerian Baptist Convention. Hence, the paper suggested that approaches to limiting ethnic influence on leadership selection processes in multi-ethnic societies include promoting a system that intentionally prioritises, initiates and sustains equality of members' rights and privileges irrespective of ethnic affiliation; a transparent and merit-based leadership selection process that designates apex leadership positions on a periodic rotational basis among representing regions or ethnic groups; a leadership development program tailored to the peculiarities of different regions; and a constitutionally backed charter for an inclusive and broadly distributed apex leadership, monitored and enforced by a legally empowered administrative unit.