IBBUL Don Says Psychological Well-Being Is Foundation of Effective Learning

A Professor of Educational Psychology at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Baji, has said that psychological well-being is the foundation of effective learning, character formation is the cornerstone of responsible citizenship, and education remains a principal vehicle for sustainable national development.

Professor Baji stated this while delivering the university’s 31st Inaugural Lecture titled “Educational Psychology Beyond the Classroom: Promoting Well-Being, Character Formation and National Development.”

He explained that educational psychology should not be viewed merely as a discipline concerned with classroom instruction and academic achievement, but as a dynamic field that provides evidence-based solutions to pressing challenges confronting individuals and society.

According to him, these challenges include mental health, family functioning, character development, youth unemployment, educational inclusion, social cohesion and national security.

He emphasised that the family remains a child’s first learning environment, while schools have a critical responsibility to nurture the intellectual, emotional, psychological and moral development of learners.

Professor Baji further stressed that character formation and peace education are essential to building responsible citizens and strengthening national cohesion.

He noted that psychological support, timely intervention and encouragement could significantly transform lives, stressing that many learners possess untapped potential that can emerge through appropriate guidance, confidence-building and access to opportunities.

“Behind every learner is a possibility that may need only guidance, confidence and the right opportunity to emerge,” he said.

He argued that setbacks should not be regarded as the end of a person’s story, noting that encouragement, purposeful guidance and access to opportunities could provide the foundation for a new beginning.

He presented an intellectual framework linking psychological well-being with strong family functioning, effective schooling, character formation and youth empowerment, culminating in responsible citizenship and sustainable national development.

Professor Baji maintained that mental health should be recognised as an educational concern and not solely a medical matter. He identified families, schools and communities as partners in promoting the psychological well-being and development of children and young people.

He described character education as an important strategy for national security, arguing that educational institutions must look beyond academic performance to the values, attitudes and behaviours they instil in learners.

He also maintained that psychological empowerment should precede economic empowerment, noting that young people require confidence, resilience and self-belief to take advantage of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The professor recommended that governments at all levels strengthen school-based mental health programmes, expand guidance and counselling services, integrate character and civic education into school curricula, and promote inclusive and equitable access to education.

He also called for greater investment in early childhood education, parenting education, child protection and professionally managed counselling services in schools.

For universities, he advocated the modernisation of educational psychology curricula to incorporate school mental health, psychological assessment, resilience, trauma-informed practice, digital psychology, responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, social-emotional learning and peace education.

He further urged universities to increase research funding, strengthen postgraduate training, establish psychological support services and deepen community engagement through evidence-based interventions.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Salihu Mohammed Niworu, described inaugural lectures as important academic traditions that celebrate scholarship and stimulate intellectual discourse.

He said the lecture was timely as it highlighted the need to extend education beyond academic qualifications to encompass psychological well-being, sound character and responsible citizenship.

Professor Sulaiman reaffirmed the university management’s commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation, digital transformation, staff development, student welfare, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships.

In his vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, commended the inaugural lecturer for his insightful presentation and scholarly contribution to the understanding of educational psychology and its relevance to national development.

The event was attended by a former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, serving and retired government officials, members of the university community and other distinguished guests.