Students’ Perception of Public Relations in Conflict Resolution in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Akwa Ibom State

This study investigated public relations practices in conflict resolution by selected tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. It adopted the survey research method. The theoretical framework adopted for the study were the Stakeholder Theory and the Social Judgment Theory. The population of the study was 151,802, from which a sample size of 400 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. The questionnaire was adopted as the instrument for data collection, and data gathered were analysed in tables. The findings from the study revealed that: the prevailing public relations practices employed in conflict resolution in selected tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State was (25%) stakeholder engagement; and public relations practices in conflict resolution was considered (38%) as effective, with interview data showing that public relations officers observed renewed engagements among members of the institutions’ communities. Consequently, it was concluded that the effectiveness of these strategies was constrained by power imbalances among institutional actors, with the overall rating of public relations practices as effective suggesting that stakeholders acknowledged their value in calming tensions, clarifying issues, and facilitating engagement. It was recommended that tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State should institutionalise stakeholder engagement frameworks by creating clear guidelines for inclusive participation, feedback integration, and follow-up communication.