Effectiveness of Administrative Communication in Conflict Resolution in Bayelsa State Government Agencies

This study investigates the effectiveness of administrative communication strategies in resolving workplace conflicts in selected government agencies in Bayelsa State, within Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. Conflict in the workplace is an inevitable organisational phenomenon, and the quality of administrative communication deployed in conflict situations significantly determines resolution outcomes and post-conflict work climate. The study employs a descriptive survey design, targeting human resource officers, administrative heads, and a stratified sample of general staff in six Bayelsa State government agencies. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides serve as data collection instruments. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and the Organisational Communication Conflict Theory provide the theoretical framework, with literature from 2020 to 2024 supporting the analysis. Key variables examined include communication clarity, feedback mechanisms, grievance procedure accessibility, and the role of mediation in conflict resolution. The study also assesses the impact of unresolved conflict on staff morale and service delivery. Recommendations are directed at the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission and agency human resource managers. Keywords: administrative communication, conflict resolution, government agencies, Bayelsa State, workplace management