Abuja: The Federal Government has been urged to strengthen Guidance and Counselling services in schools through adequate funding, policy support, and the deployment of professional counsellors to enhance national development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the recommendation was made by Rosemary Ogbodo-Adoga, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling at the Department of Educational Foundation, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), during her inaugural lecture titled: ‘Guidance and Counselling for All: A Pathway to National Development.’ Ogbodo-Adoga highlighted the increasing social, educational, and psychological challenges confronting learners and society, making Guidance and Counselling indispensable for sustainable national growth.
She emphasized that Nigeria is currently grappling with issues such as traumatic stress, unemployment, drug abuse, cultism, emotional detachment, inadequate parental involvement, poor remuneration, rapid growth in student enrolment, insufficient healthcare services, and political instability. Ogbodo-Adoga pointed out that many citizens are increasingly confused about coping with these challenges, stressing that Guidance and Counselling remain a globally recognized preventive measure for addressing personal, educational, and social problems.
Ogbodo-Adoga advocated for the implementation of guidance and counselling programs through core processes such as consultation, coordination, and counselling. She emphasized that these programs should provide critical services, including orientation, information dissemination, appraisal, placement, follow-up, research, and overall student development. Effective implementation of these services will help learners develop positive values, make informed decisions, acquire life skills, and realize their full potential.
Furthermore, she called for adequate funding of guidance and counselling programs in schools, urging government at all levels to establish dedicated budget lines for the sector within Ministries of Education. Sustained funding would improve program management, facilitate the provision of counselling facilities, and strengthen support services for students across educational institutions. The professor also advocated for the training and retraining of guidance personnel through scholarships, bursaries, and continuous professional development programs.
Ogbodo-Adoga urged federal and state ministries of education to employ trained professional counsellors and deploy them to schools on a full-time basis. She stressed the importance of strict compliance with the recommended counsellor-counselee ratio of 1:250 to ensure quality service delivery and adequate attention to learners’ needs. The professor also called for empowering the Counselling Association of Nigeria to register, certify, and license professional counsellors to strengthen regulation and maintain professional standards.
She emphasized the need for appropriate policies, legislation, and enabling environments to institutionalize best practices in counselling across the country. Ogbodo-Adoga highlighted the importance of collaboration among counsellors, administrators, teachers, parents, and communities in making guidance programs more responsive to the needs of individuals and society. She also advocated for creating safe, supportive, and learner-friendly school environments to promote academic achievement and positive behavior.
The Vice-Chancellor of the NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, commended Ogbodo-Adoga for her scholarly contribution to the field of guidance and counselling. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, Uduma described the lecture as timely and relevant, particularly when educational institutions and society are grappling with complex behavioral and social challenges.
Uduma noted that the lecture raised critical questions about the role of counselling in educational institutions and the collective responsibility of stakeholders in addressing societal problems. He emphasized that government should not be viewed as an abstract entity detached from society, as those who occupy public offices are members of families and communities. He commended Ogbodo-Adoga for highlighting the need for collaboration among counsellors, parents, teachers, administrators, and policymakers in promoting learners’ wellbeing.
The vice-chancellor congratulated the inaugural lecturer, describing her as an accomplished scholar whose contributions had impacted the university, the church, and society. He acknowledged the support of the lecturer’s family, colleagues, church members, and the Faculty of Education in her academic journey. He reiterated the university’s commitment to promoting research and scholarship that provide practical solutions to national challenges.