By Chimezie Godfrey
Nigeria’s quest for sustainable national development will remain elusive unless governments and educational institutions prioritise guidance and counselling services as strategic tools for addressing the country’s growing social, educational and psychological challenges, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Rosemary Ochanya Ogbodo-Adoga, has said.
Delivering the University’s 40th Inaugural Lecture titled, “Guidance and Counselling for All: A Pathway to National Development,” Professor Ogbodo-Adoga argued that effective counselling systems are critical to tackling rising cases of examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, unemployment, insecurity, indiscipline, mental health concerns and other societal problems confronting the nation.
According to her, guidance and counselling should no longer be viewed as peripheral educational services but as essential national development instruments capable of helping individuals make informed decisions, discover their potentials and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Guidance helps individuals understand themselves and make informed choices, while counselling provides professional support that enables people to overcome personal, educational, vocational and social challenges,” she stated.
The professor noted that the increasing complexity of modern society, driven by technological advancement, globalisation, changing family structures and evolving workplace demands, has made professional counselling services more relevant than ever.
She identified career guidance as one of the most critical interventions needed in Nigeria’s education system, lamenting that many young people continue to struggle with career choices due to inadequate information and limited access to professional counsellors.
Professor Ogbodo-Adoga further highlighted the growing role of technology-assisted counselling, saying digital platforms now offer opportunities for people to access professional support regardless of geographical location.
Describing counselling as both a preventive and corrective intervention, she said the profession equips individuals with coping skills, strengthens decision-making abilities and promotes responsible citizenship.
To reposition the sector, she called for increased government funding, the establishment of dedicated budget lines for counselling services within ministries of education, continuous training and retraining of counsellors, and the recruitment of qualified professionals across educational institutions.
She also advocated strict compliance with the internationally recommended counsellor-to-student ratio of 1:250, warning that the shortage of trained counsellors continues to undermine service delivery in schools.
The scholar further urged policymakers to strengthen legislation supporting counselling services, empower the Counselling Association of Nigeria to regulate professional practice more effectively, and promote entrepreneurship education as part of efforts to build self-reliance among Nigerian youths.
“Countries that neglect the emotional, psychological, educational and career development of their citizens cannot achieve sustainable development,” she maintained.
Reflecting on her academic career at NOUN, Ogbodo-Adoga highlighted her contributions to teaching, research, mentorship, curriculum development and academic administration, noting that her professional commitment has remained focused on advancing quality education.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, described the lecture as timely and highly relevant to contemporary national realities.
According to him, inaugural lectures provide a platform for distinguished scholars to share years of research findings and professional insights that can contribute to national discourse and policy formulation.
Professor Mafiana congratulated Ogbodo-Adoga on what he described as a well-researched and impactful lecture, urging governments, educators, parents and other stakeholders to accord greater priority to guidance and counselling as a strategic component of Nigeria’s development agenda.