Students as Institutional Brand Ambassadors: Assessing the Influence of Word-of-Mouth Marketing on Polytechnic Image in North-Central Nigeria
Abstract
Federal Polytechnics in North-Central Nigeria continue to face challenges relating to inconsistent public perception, fluctuating student enrolment, and weak institutional loyalty despite growing investments in institutional branding. These challenges are increasingly influenced by informal student communication and peer-generated narratives that often shape institutional perceptions more strongly than official promotional efforts. Consequently, this study examined the influence of students’ word-of-mouth marketing on institutional image and determined the extent to which student brand ambassadorship affects institutional reputation in Federal Polytechnics in North- Central Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study targeted full-time students in selected Federal Polytechnics within the region. Using a multistage sampling technique, a sample size of 384 respondents was determined through Yamane’s formula. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that peer recommendation was the most dominant dimension of students’ word-of-mouth marketing, highlighting the importance of interpersonal influence in shaping institutional perceptions. Positive institutional representation also emerged as the strongest indicator of student brand ambassadorship, while institutional credibility was identified as the most influential component of institutional image and reputation. The study concludes that students play a significant role in shaping institutional image and reputation through their communication behaviours and ambassadorial activities. It therefore recommends that institutions strengthen peer-led communication platforms, enhance academic quality, promote active student engagement, and strategically support authentic student-generated content to reinforce institutional reputation and competitiveness.
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