Interaction of Communication Strategies and Management of Student-Related Conflicts in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria.

Abstract The operations and image of tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been negatively impacted by conflicts between management and students. These conflicts have become endemic and have adversely affected tertiary institutions in Edo and Delta States leading to loss of lives, damage to property and interrupted academic calendars. This study examined the interaction of communication strategies in management of conflicts of selected tertiary institutions in Edo and Delta States. The study employed the survey research design and multi-stage sampling technique to draw a sample of 760 from the total population of four selected institutions; Delta State University, Abraka, University of Benin, Benin-City, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. The study found that there was a significant difference in the adoption of communication strategies for conflict management between universities and polytechnics in Delta and Edo States. Communication strategies significantly influenced management of student-related conflicts in tertiary institutions in both Delta and Edo States. The study recommended the incorporation of students’ representatives into the decision making organs of these institutions and that management should also embrace effective communication that is research-driven. Key Words: Communication, Conflict, Strategies, Management and Resolution, Tertiary Institutions JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 12, No. 1, April 2020, pp. 136-148 © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria. About the author * Emmanuel Ejomafuvwe Akpoveta, Ph.D., is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria. His areas of research interest are conflict, business and organizational communication. Full Article Words: 7,725 Pages: 13 To access full article, click on download. Article Citation Akpoveta, E.E. (2020). Interaction of communication strategies and management of student-related conflicts in selected tertiary institutions in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 12 (1): 136 – 148.