International Journal of Multidisciplinary Innovative Research ISSN: 2583-0228 Volume 4, Number 3 (July’ 2024) pp. 73-81 © CIIR, Noida, INDIA (www.ciir.in) https://www.ijmir.org Article Received: 05 June’ 2024; Accepted: 24 June’ 2024. 73 Copyright2021@CIIR Review Article Conflict Management Strategies and Administrative Effectiveness: Issues in Public Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State Isaac U. Inwang, Johnson O. Odohoedi, Godwin E. Okponganam 1 and Nathaniel T. Attat Dept of Business Management, University of Uyo, Nigeria. 1 Dept of Business Education, University of Uyo, Nigeria Corresponding author email: jojohnson207@gmail.com ABSTRACT: This study examined the influence of conflict management strategies on the administrative effectiveness of Principals in Public Secondary Schools in Uyo Education Zone, Akwa Ibom State. In carrying out this study, four hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted a survey research design. A total of 150 teachers were selected from a population of 607 using a simple random sampling technique. Conflict Management and Principals Administrative Effectiveness Questionnaire (“CMSPAEQ”) was employed for data collection. The instrument was validated and appropriate corrections were accomplished. To establish the reliability of the instrument it was pretested using 20 teachers sampled from the area of study that did not take part in the actual study and a reliability coefficient of 0.80 was obtained. The dependent t-test analysis was used in testing the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed a significant influence of communication strategy, mediation strategy, dialogue strategy, and negotiation strategy on the administrative effectiveness of principals in public secondary schools in Uyo Education Zone, Akwa Ibom State. It is recommended among other things that Principals should improve their communication skills and provide communication channels for effective conflict resolution. They should be aware that lack of access to information breeds rumors and invariably results in crises. KEYWORDS: Administrative Effectiveness, Communication, Conflict Management, Dialogue strategy, Mediation, Negotiation. INTRODUCTION Conflicts in secondary schools appear to occur frequently in the Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom. This could be because of the structure of the educational system, where pupils and administrators appear to disagree on important socio-cultural and academic issues. Some secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State have been notorious for severe fighting and cult wars for a decade. This case is not exceptional to only Uyo High and Ewet Technical College. Several other schools within and outside the Metropolis have witnessed some forms of conflict among students and students-to-teachers. It has been noted that relating to one another is a challenge for secondary school students. The number of secondary school student fights is highly concerning. These include altercations between students, confrontations in groups, disputes within courses, and even disputes across schools. The fact that some pupils even attacked their instructors and other non-teaching staff members is even more concerning.