The prevalence of unethical behavior, corruption, and poor decision-making in Nigerian institutions and organizations has led to significant social, economic, and developmental challenges. Despite the country’s vast resources and potentials, the lack of leadership integrity and social responsibility has resulted in ineffective governance, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Furthermore, the disconnect between leadership decisions and the needs of stakeholders has eroded trust in institutions and hindered sustainable development.

This study focuses on the conceptualization of leadership integrity, social responsibility, and decision-making. Furthermore, the challenges inhibiting leadership integrity, social responsibility, and decision-making in Nigeria were examined, and approaches to restoring leadership integrity, promoting social responsibility, and enhancing quality decision-making for Nigeria’s development were identified and discussed.

The findings suggest that leaders with high integrity prioritize social responsibility and make decisions that align with their organization’s values and ethical principles. Conversely, leaders with low integrity tend to prioritize self-interest and short-term gains, compromising social responsibility and the quality of decision-making.

This study contributes to our understanding of the important role of leadership integrity in promoting social responsibility and making informed decisions. The implications of this study are relevant for leaders, policymakers, and organizations seeking to promote a culture of integrity, social responsibility, and ethical decision-making.