By Osoluka, Maryann
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 above, invasion of unqualified practitioners has been greatly reduced and there is a marked difference in the quality of PR practice between registered and unregistered practitioners.