PERCEPTIONS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTIONERS ON REBRANDING NIGERIA CAMPAIGN :A STUDY OF NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS ONDO STATE CHAPTER

Abstract This study investigates the perception of public relations(PR)practitioners on re-branding Nigeria campaigns,with a specific focus on members of the Nigerian Institute of public relations(NIPR) in ondo state.Over the years,various national re-branding initiatives have been launched in Nigeria,such as “Heart of Africa” and “Nigeria:Good people,Great nation” yet their effectiveness remains contested.Guided by Framing Theory and stakeholder Theory,this study adopted a descriptive survey design,Data were collected from 80 Public Relations practitioners through a structured questionnaire administered via social media platforms.The findings reveal that while public relations professionals acknowledge the strategic importance of re-branding,they also express concerns over poor stakeholder involvement ,inconsistent messaging,political interference ,and lack of continuity in past campaigns.The study also confirms that public relations tools such as strategic communication ,media relations,and advocacy are underutilized by the government actors in driving national image campaigns.It recommends greater inclusion of PR practitioners in national branding initiatives and emphasizes the need for coherent,stakeholder-driven,and professionally framed communication strategies.The study contributes to the understanding of how practitioner perspectives can inform more effective ans sustainable re-branding efforts in Nigeria Keywords;Re-branding,Public relations,Perception ,National image,Stakeholder Engagement