ARTICLE SUMMARY
| Title: | Professionalizing Public Relations Practice in Nigeria: The Role of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations |
| Author(s): | Uche Sunday Aja, Joseph N. Chukwu, Vincent Onyeaghanachi Odoh |
| Abstract: | Over the years, public relations practice has evolved into a critical component of corporate governance and leadership activity in Nigeria. It involves the promotion of rapport and goodwill between an organization and its publics or the community at large through the distribution of interpretative materials, the development of neighbourly interchange and the assessment of public reaction. However, despite fulfilling these lofty ideals, public relations has stuttered along and is yet to gain effective recognition and acceptance as a reputable profession in the country. Existing literature has blamed this anomaly on some factors which include corruption, lack of academic exposition, career determination, finance, personnel, Nigerian government and entrepreneurs. This work is not an attempt to disprove the notion of these challenges, but a step to highlighting the leading and central role which the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has to play in professionalizing public relations practice in Nigeria. In achieving this objective, the paper critically analyzes, in a systematic manner, the contributions of scholars and authors on key words and concepts like public relations, professionalism and finally looks beyond other actors in the Nigeria public relations environment. The recommendation is that NIPR should evolve a better governance and management in order to enforce its laws and control the professional practices. |
| Keywords: | Public Relations Practice, Professionalising, NIPR |
Editorial Board
EDITOR-IN CHIEF
Prof. Jonathan E. Aliede
DEPUTY EDITOR-IN CHIEF
Agatha Obiageri Orji-Egwu, Ph.D
MANAGING EDITOR
SÃmon Ugochukwu Nwankwo, Ph.D
EDITORS
Prof. Ifeyinwa Nsude
Prof. Angela Nwanmuo
Prof. Tyotom Keghku
Prof. Muyiwa Poopola
Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro
Prof L. I. Ogbuoshi
Ruth. Chika Okorie, Ph.D
Adeola Sidikat Oyrleke, Ph.D
Celestine Ukeoma, Ph.D