This research investigates the correlation between strategic leadership and social sustainable performance in public sector entities in Nigeria’s Niger Delta area. In the context of ongoing socio-economic difficulties in the region, the study examines the pivotal issue of how dimensions of strategic leadership orientation, execution, alignment, and intervention – affect essential sustainability outcomes, such as community engagement, equity and fairness, poverty reduction, and regulatory compliance. The research also examines the moderating influence of engagement culture within this connection. The study employed a positivist philosophical framework and utilized a cross-sectional design enhanced by quasi-experimental components to examine data from 67 managers, supervisors, and department heads at three federal institutions: The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (FMNDA), and the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA). A census sampling method was used since the population was tiny. The research sent out 67 questionnaires and got back 64 of them (95.5% response rate). Of them, 62 (96.9%) were suitable for analysis. The Strategic Leadership and Social Sustainability Performance Questionnaire (SLSSPQ) and historical documents were used to gather data. Key results indicated significantly substantial correlations among all strategic leadership factors and social sustainability performance. Strategic alignment had the most effect on community participation, while strategic execution and intervention had the biggest effects on equity and poverty reduction, respectively. The culture of involvement became a strong moderator, making these connections stronger. The research determines that cohesive, culturally attuned leadership approaches are essential for promoting social sustainability within the intricate governance framework of the Niger Delta. These results highlight the need for public sector changes that emphasize leadership development and participative methodologies. The study enhances strategic leadership theory and provides pragmatic insights for policymakers. Subsequent research needs to investigate longitudinal frameworks and comparative evaluations across various institutional contexts.

Keywords: Strategic Leadership, Social Sustainability Performance, Public Sector, Engagement Culture.