PARENTAL COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE PARENT ENGAGEMENT IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Parental communication and public relations are vital in Nigerian universities, yet a noticeable gap in current parental engagement practices hampers potential collaboration between parents and these institutions. To address this, the study takes a comprehensive approach, investigating parental communication and public relations in Nigerian universities, identifying key challenges, and proposing strategies to enhance parent engagement and optimize communication. Employing mixed methods, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with parents, lecturers, and stakeholders, our findings underscore the pressing need to improve parental communication and public relations. Challenges like limited parental involvement, communication gaps, and language barriers obstruct effective interaction. Diverse parental expectations stress the necessity for tailored strategies. Key recommendations include establishing clear communication policies and guidelines, diversifying channels (particularly digital platforms like email), implementing parent engagement programs, and addressing cultural factors. Embracing these steps can bridge the communication gap, foster meaningful parent engagement, and create a better educational environment.