Ojukwu University Don Outlines Key Issues Facing Guidance and Counselling in Nigeria
Prof. Nnamdi Josephat Obikeze outlines key challenges facing guidance and counselling in Nigeria, urging government intervention to prevent a sector collapse.
Mary Nwaeze 
Prof. Nnamdi Josephat Obikeze, a prominent Professor of Counselling Psychology at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), has identified significant challenges facing the practice of guidance and counselling in Nigeria. Speaking during the university's 12th Inaugural Lecture Series at the Prof. Ben Nwazojie Auditorium on the Igbariam campus, he outlined the critical issues that have been stifling the growth and effectiveness of counselling in the country.
Prof. Obikeze pinpointed several factors contributing to the declining state of counselling in Nigeria, including:
- Inadequate funding for counselling programs.
- A lack of qualified and experienced counsellors.
- Incompetence among current counsellors.
- Non-functioning professional bodies.
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- The proliferation and use of quasi-counsellors.
- Inadequate sensitization of citizens about counselling services.
- Unfavorable government policies.
- Over-dependence on government support.
- Non-uniformity of counselling programs in universities.
These challenges have led to a noticeable decrease in young Nigerians pursuing careers in guidance and counselling. Prof. Obikeze urged the government to take immediate action to prevent further decline and promote the growth of the profession.
During his lecture, Prof. Obikeze emphasized that guidance counsellors play a crucial role in assisting individuals in various aspects of their lives, including:
- Maximizing potential and providing information.
- Liaising with other health professionals.
- Developing and using psychological tests.
- Maintaining confidential records.
- Acting as consultants in counselling against social vices.
- Making referrals and acting as referees.
- Conducting research in the field.
These responsibilities require adherence to ethical principles, including beneficence (protecting clients' rights and preventing harm), justice (treating everyone fairly), confidentiality (keeping clients' affairs secret), fidelity (being sincere and transparent), debriefing (informing clients of counselling outcomes), and informed consent (obtaining permission for counselling activities). Prof. Obikeze highlighted the importance of competence among counsellors and urged practitioners to abide by these principles to maintain the integrity of the profession.
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To address the current challenges, Prof. Obikeze suggested that counselling psychologists in Nigeria should adhere to professional ethics and existing laws. He recommended that counsellors found guilty of misconduct should be tried and sanctioned to deter others from unethical behavior. Additionally, he called for the recruitment of more guidance counsellors to work in schools and other organizations across various sectors.
Dr. Raymond Ofor, President General of the Awa community in Orumba North Council Area of Anambra State, also spoke at the event, urging the federal government to allocate more funding to counselling practitioners. He emphasized that proper funding could improve the guidance and counselling sector, which, in turn, would benefit students and the broader society.
The event was well-attended by members of the university community, including Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, who participated virtually. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria's counselling sector and the importance of addressing the outlined challenges to ensure the profession's sustainability.
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