Project Abstract

Public relations play a critical role in the Nigerian educational sector, as it is essential for maintaining a positive image, building trust with stakeholders, and managing communication effectively. This research project aims to explore the current state of public relations practices in Nigerian educational institutions and identify areas for improvement. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data will be collected through interviews with public relations officers in various educational institutions across Nigeria, as well as surveys distributed to students, faculty members, and other key stakeholders. The qualitative data will be analyzed thematically to identify common challenges and best practices in public relations in the educational sector, while the quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical methods to identify trends and correlations. The research will focus on several key areas, including the role of public relations in enhancing the reputation of educational institutions, the use of social media and other communication channels for public relations purposes, and the challenges faced by public relations officers in the educational sector. By exploring these areas, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can help improve public relations practices in Nigerian educational institutions. The findings of this research will have important implications for the Nigerian educational sector. By identifying best practices and common challenges in public relations, educational institutions can develop strategies to enhance their communication efforts and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. This, in turn, can help improve the overall reputation and image of Nigerian educational institutions, leading to increased trust and support from the community. Overall, this research project will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on public relations in the Nigerian educational sector. By providing a comprehensive analysis of current practices and areas for improvement, the study aims to help educational institutions enhance their communication strategies and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. Ultimately, the findings of this research have the potential to positively impact the reputation and effectiveness of public relations in the Nigerian educational sector.

Project Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Public relations has become a potent marketing tool in modern business management in recent times. Its influence is being felt on both big and small firms with the influence of even greater expansion. It is important for management organization including tertiary institutions to understand its potential and limitations.

Nwokoye (1984:212) defined public relations as the activities of corporations, union, government or other organisations in building and marketing sound and productive relations with special public such as customers, relations employees or stockholders and with public at large so as to adopt itself to its environment and interpret itself to the society.

Bush and Houston (1995:200) noted that public relations is management functions which evaluate public attitude, identifies policies and procedures of an individuals or an organisations with the public interest and execute a programme of action to earn public understanding and acceptance.

Chukwu (2000:3 – 4) stated that public relations practice is a management philosophy aimed at doing everything possible to create good relationship between one organization and its publics.

Public Relations is aimed at making friends for the organization and building internal and external good will on the reasonable assumption that these are strongly needed for an organization to remain in business and make profit with the increase in the activities of an organization. The need for an adequate communication between the organization and those who in one way or the other are affected by these activities of the organization becomes more imperative. An organization while wanting to remain liable, need to have good relations with its employees, consumers of its products and services, future investors, stockholders and in fact that is the general public. As an organization specialized in manufacturing to potential customers that is up to date, forward looking concerned to produce and offer the best goods and services for the rice it charges and make sure that its customers are really satisfied.

Edoga and Ani (2001:287) noted that a company should deliberately plan and execute a continuous public relations programme to develop a good relation between it and that various publics, amongst sought with public relations.

Stressing the position of public relations in the country, Olakunori (1999:194) noted that most officials occupying the public relations of various organizations in the country today are not professionals; they generally have a fair knowledge of what they are supposed to do.

Federal polytechnic unwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP) as an institution or organization has the students, members of its staff, parents- teachers association, the management, the host society, the state and the federal government, Nigerian Universities commission (NUC) etc. as its relevant publics. This implies that the activities performed by AIFP in one way or the other affect those aforementioned various public. Therefore, in order to maintain its public relations with those bodies, AIFP must at all time try to create a rapport and understanding or goodwill with all those bodies. This it will do through proper information circulation between itself and those various relevant publics to it. This can be done by allowing the free flows of information, paying of salaries as and when due to its staff, engaging in proper and standard academic work, abiding by the rules and regulations of NUC in the performance of its activities.

Manufacturers and producers of goods and service are now aware that public relations does not only ensure good relations with the public but can strive towards profit making through increased customers patronage. It is in the light of the importance attached to public relations that the researcher seeks to appraise the effectiveness of public relations in service industries in Federal polytechnic uwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP) as a case study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A good corporate image is usually regarded to be essentials for the existence of an organization. The success or failure of a corporation depends on its relationship with its publics, consumers, employees, stock-holders, government, community, distributions, supplies and others. A favourable corporate image create confidence in an organisations or institution.

There has been occupational troubles in tertiary institutions as become the order of the day. But AIFP as always remained in sector despite the occasional occurrence of these ugly incidents. The questions that called for answer are:-

Why has this problem of internal wrangle in our tertiary institutions?

Why has AIFP not witness the major break down of law and order despite the increase in school fees?

Why has AIFP been able to maintained peace despites the facts that there are some polities that do not go down well with the staff, lecturers and the students of the institute?

To what extent has public relations contributed in maintenance of peace and harmony in the institutions these and many more are the central task of this research work.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To give focus to the study the following objectives are formulated:-

1. 1. To find out the level of attention given to the publics in Federal polytechnic uwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP).
   2. To find out whether the institution have good relationship with the press.
   3. To examine the level of students, lecturers, staff and management relations in AIFP.
   4. To know how public relations help in improving communication between people and the organization.
   5. To recommend solution to problems on public relations identified.
   6. To determined the impact of public relations on consumers (students) patronage
   7. To appraise the public relations activities of Federal polytechnic unwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP).

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Public Relations activities of AIFP

Ho: Public Relations activities of AIFP does not lead to increase the awareness of their services

Hi: These lead to increase the awareness of their services.

Ho: Public Relations activities of AIFP does not give attention to the student of the institution

H2: Public Relations activities of AIFP gives attention to the student of the institution.

Ho: Public Relation activities of AIFP does not lead to increase (students) patronage.

H3: Public Relation activities of AIFP lead to increase (students) (students) patronage.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The most outstanding hope of this study is that, its finding will be of immense benefit to students, lecturers and staff of management of tertiary institutions. These will help to minimize conflicts in this institutions.

The study also gives an insight into the problem and practice of public relations in Nigeria Institutions of higher learning. This study by its objectives will not only assess the effectiveness of classified public relations, but all its application and uses generally. Therefore, when successfully carried out and documented, this study will serve as a source of relevant information to many institutions and organisations on ways of using public relations.

Finally, public relations practioners have been deprived of excellent performance in the operations because of scanty and insufficient data and adequate literature availability in this area.

This study when successfully completed and adequately supervised will be an addition to the essentials literature needed in public relations. Practitioners and consultants will therefore use it extensively for reference.

Based on forgoing, it becomes indisputable that the need for this study is worthwhile.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers public Relations activities in service industries and it will equally cover an over view of public relations in service industries. The role of public relations activities in improving the image of service industries especially tertiary institutions. Due to limited time and other constraints, emphases was placed on Federal polytechnic uwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP). Despite the fact that Enugu State University is the only institution use as a case study, but the researcher believes that whatever happens to Federal polytechnic uwana ebonyi state (aifp)(AIFP) will equally apply to other institutions in the state.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

This are some terms used in this research work

AIFP: Enugu state university of science and technology

NUC: Nigerian Universities commission

(ESBS): Enugu State Broadcasting service

IMT: Institute of Management and Technology

PUBLIC RELATIONS: this is the activities of cooperation, union, government or other organization in building and marketing sound and productive with the public.

SERVICE INDUSTRIES: this is an industry made up of companies that primary earn revenue through providing intangible product and services.

INTERNAL PUBLICS: These are people employed by a firm or member of an organization.

EXTERNAL PUBLICS: these are people and organization that are client doing business with a firm or agency.

Community relations: this is the various methods companies use to establish and maintain a mutual relationship with the public or community.

REFERENCES

Adegboyega O. (1991) Strategy and Public relations, Lagos: Rechimid Book Limited.

Adirika E.O, Ebue B.C, and Nnolim O. (1996) Principles and Practice of Marketing 11, Enugu: Nigeria, James Enterprises.

Benson E. (1991) Public relations and Practice Approach, Enugu; John Jacobs Publishers Limited.

Confield B. (1979) Public Relations, Principles Cases and Problems, 7th Edition Home woods, william’s: Richard D Irwin Inc.

Chukwu, Ikeoma (2000) Public Relations; its Role in Marketing, Enugu: Meltin Publishers.

Iloabanafo C.E (2001) Appraisal of public relations Profrance of selected public corporations of Enugu State unpublished.

Kotler P. (1997) Marketing management Analysis Planning Implementing and control, New Delhi: Hall of India.

Nwokoye N.G. (1984) Modern Marketing for Nigeria, London: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Olakunori O.K. (1997) Successful research Theory and Practice, Enugu: Computer Edge Publishers.

Victor E. (2001) “Evaluation of Public Relations in Tertiary Institution” A Journal of Association of Marketing Practitioners vol. 10, No 6.

Udeagha A.O. (1995) Principles and Process of Marketing Enugu: J.T.C. Publishers.