Academic counselling: NOUN professor warns of growing neglect in Nigerian schools

DDM News

A professor at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has expressed deep concern over the neglect of academic counselling.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) he warns that this lack of attention is negatively impacting students’ academic performance, career choices, and overall development in Nigeria.

Speaking at NOUN’s 31st inaugural lecture in Abuja, Professor Augustine Ukwueze emphasized the critical role of academic counselling in education.

Ukwueze, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, described academic counselling as a “dark horse” in Nigeria’s education sector.

He explained that despite its significance, many educational institutions fail to prioritize it, leaving students without essential academic guidance.

NOUN’s role in open and distance learning

Since its establishment, NOUN has played a key role in advancing open and distance learning in Nigeria.

As the country’s largest open university, NOUN provides flexible educational opportunities to thousands of students across various disciplines.

The institution has continuously worked to enhance academic counselling services to support student retention, performance, and career advancement.

Over the years, NOUN has implemented virtual academic advisory sessions to help students navigate their educational journey.

Dedicated tutors and interactive study centers have also been introduced to provide students with necessary academic guidance and support.

Despite these efforts, Ukwueze noted that many conventional institutions still fail to integrate structured academic counselling into their systems.

The consequences of neglecting academic counselling

Professor Ukwueze warned that the neglect of academic counselling has far-reaching consequences on students’ academic success and career development.

He highlighted poor academic performance as one of the major outcomes of inadequate counselling services in Nigerian schools.

Without proper academic guidance, many students struggle to make informed decisions regarding their courses and future careers.

Misguided career choices have led to a growing number of graduates who are ill-prepared for the job market.

Dropout rates have also increased as students face academic challenges without access to professional counselling services.

“Academic counselling is more than just helping students select courses,” Ukwueze stated.

“It is a structured support system that enhances student performance and prepares them for life after school,” he added.

The impact of academic counselling on student success

Research findings presented by Ukwueze showed that schools with structured academic counselling record better student retention and progression rates.

Students who receive consistent academic guidance perform better in examinations and achieve higher academic success.

Proper counselling helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to develop effective study strategies.

It also boosts students’ confidence and motivation by providing them with the necessary tools to succeed academically.

In addition, structured counselling services have been linked to improvements in students’ overall well-being and mental health.

Challenges facing academic counselling in Nigeria

Despite its importance, Ukwueze identified several challenges affecting the implementation of academic counselling in Nigerian schools.

One of the primary challenges is inadequate funding, which limits the availability of professional counsellors in educational institutions.

Many schools do not allocate sufficient resources to support counselling services, leading to understaffed and poorly equipped counselling units.

A shortage of trained academic counsellors has further worsened the situation, leaving students without access to professional guidance.

Another major issue is the widespread misconception about academic counselling among students, parents, and educators.

Many students view counselling as unnecessary and only seek help when they encounter academic difficulties.

Parents and teachers often fail to recognize the long-term benefits of continuous academic counselling in shaping students’ success.

Additionally, some institutions lack structured counselling departments, making it difficult for students to access professional support.

Without proper academic counselling, students are left to make crucial academic and career decisions without expert guidance.

NOUN’s approach to academic counselling

Professor Ukwueze highlighted NOUN’s approach to academic counselling as a possible model for other institutions to adopt.

NOUN has continuously worked on improving its student support services through structured academic advisory initiatives.

Unlike traditional universities, NOUN provides students with personalized academic guidance tailored to their individual learning needs.

Through online platforms and interactive study centers, NOUN ensures that students receive timely support and counselling.

Academic tutors at NOUN are trained to provide professional guidance to students at different stages of their education.

The university also conducts periodic workshops and seminars to educate students on academic planning and career development.

By prioritizing academic counselling, NOUN has improved student retention, academic performance, and overall learning experiences.

Recommendations for improving academic counselling in Nigeria

To address the challenges facing academic counselling, Ukwueze called for urgent intervention by education policymakers.

He urged the government to invest in recruiting and training professional academic counsellors in schools and universities.

Adequate funding should be allocated to establish structured counselling departments in all educational institutions across Nigeria.

Universities and secondary schools should integrate academic counselling into their educational framework to support students’ academic success.

There should be nationwide awareness campaigns to educate students, parents, and educators on the benefits of academic counselling.

Educational institutions should encourage students to seek academic guidance regularly rather than waiting until problems arise.

Continuous professional development programs should be introduced to equip counsellors with modern techniques and strategies.

Teachers and lecturers should be trained to identify students who need counselling and direct them to professional services.

Students should be given access to online counselling platforms where they can receive academic guidance remotely.

Schools should establish mentorship programs that pair students with experienced counsellors and educators.

The future of academic counselling in Nigeria

Professor Ukwueze stressed that prioritizing academic counselling would significantly improve Nigeria’s education system.

By implementing structured counselling services, institutions can reduce dropout rates and improve student performance.

Academic counselling should become an essential part of Nigeria’s educational policy to ensure student success.

Policymakers, educators, and parents must work together to provide students with the necessary academic support.

If properly implemented, academic counselling can transform the education sector and produce well-prepared graduates.

NOUN continues to lead by example, demonstrating how structured academic counselling enhances student success.

With institutions like NOUN emphasizing academic counselling, other universities and schools should adopt similar approaches.

Proper academic counselling can shape students’ futures and ensure they achieve their full potential.

By investing in academic counselling, Nigeria can build a stronger and more effective education system.

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