This study investigated the level of administrative effectiveness of heads of departments in the Colleges of Education in Edo and Delta states, Nigeria. Employing the simple survey research design the researchers surveyed a total of 688 teachers and 126 heads of departments in the colleges of education in Edo and Delta states. The results from the study showed that while heads of departments in the colleges of education in Edo and Delta states, Nigeria, were generally effective in the management of academic programs and external relations at the collective mean score of 2.54 and 2.60 respectively on ≥ 2.50 benchmark level of significance, they were, however, generally ineffective in the management of finances and facilities at 2.29 and 2.25 respectively also at ≥ 2.50 benchmark level of significance in their departments. It was then recommended that while heads of departments in the colleges of education be encouraged to maintain and improve on the practices and postures in the management of academic programs and external relations, they must, however, be exposed to skills and methods for effective management of facilities and finances and learn how to best apply them in the peculiarity of their environments to achieve higher levels of administrative effectiveness.

Keywords: Colleges of Education, Heads of Departments, Administrative Effectiveness, Leadership Skills, Administrative Duties