ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research work is to assess the level of awareness,
implementation and effect of the provisions of the Nigerian Institute of Public
Relations Decree on qualifications and eligibility to practices Public Relations
in Nigeria.
Literature on the practice of PR before and after the promulgation of
the decree and general practice of PR and PR education were exhaustively
reviewed.
Questionnaires and oral interviews were the key instruments used.
Books and journals also served as sources of secondary data.
The main methods of analyzing data collected were the simple
percentage for testing the research questions and chi – square for testing the
hypothesis.
Based on the data collected and analysis, the following major finding,
conclusions and recommendations were made.
One of the key problems besetting the practice of PR in Nigeria
especially in the area of qualifications and eligibility to practice PR was the
invasion of the profession by unqualified practitioners. Therefore when the
NIPR decree 16 of 1990 was promulgated, the institute vigorously published
the Decree (especially the provisions on qualifications and eligibility to
practice PR in the country). The campaign was a success as a good number
of PR practitioners and employers of labour claimed they became aware of
the existence of the provisions of the Decree on qualification and eligibility to
practice PR as a result of the campaign. They also said this knowledge now
influence their practice and employment of PR practitioners. In addition to the
