A distinguished scholar in Guidance and Counselling at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Augustine Chinweuba Ukwueze, has emphasized the often-overlooked significance of academic counselling in Nigeria’s education sector.
Delivering NOUN’s 31st Inaugural Lecture at the university’s headquarters in Abuja, Ukwueze, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, described academic counselling as a “dark horse” in the education industry.
In his lecture titled Academic Counselling: A Dark Horse in the Education Industry, he highlighted its transformative potential, stating, “It is a powerful but underappreciated force capable of driving significant improvements in educational outcomes and student well-being.”
Professor Ukwueze provided a conceptual analysis, distinguishing academic counselling from other forms of counselling, and tracing its historical evolution from the early 20th century to its gradual integration into global education systems. He underscored its pivotal role in guiding students toward informed academic and career choices.
Despite its critical role, he noted that many educational institutions fail to prioritise academic counselling, leading to challenges such as poor student performance, misguided career paths, and high dropout rates. He supported his assertions with empirical data, revealing that students who received consistent academic counselling demonstrated significant improvements in their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) results. Schools that implemented structured academic counselling programs also recorded higher student retention and progression rates.
Reflecting on his personal and professional journey, Ukwueze shared how his passion for academic counselling developed during his early years as an educator. He recounted experiences working with students from diverse backgrounds who, with proper guidance, overcame educational challenges and achieved outstanding results.
However, he identified several obstacles hindering the effectiveness of academic counselling, including inadequate funding, a shortage of trained counsellors, students’ reluctance to seek counselling due to stigma, and limited awareness among policymakers and educators. He cautioned that ignoring these challenges could hinder the potential of academic counselling in fostering educational excellence.
Commending NOUN for its commitment to guidance and counselling services, Ukwueze noted that the university remains one of the few institutions investing significantly in this area, employing a large number of professional counsellors.
To strengthen academic counselling in Nigeria, he recommended increased investment in counselling services across all educational levels, the integration of technology to enhance delivery, awareness campaigns to educate students and parents on its benefits, and continuous professional development for counsellors to keep them updated on best practices.
Earlier in the event, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, acknowledged that academic counselling remains undervalued and underutilised, often overshadowed by conventional teaching and examination processes. He reiterated that academic counselling extends beyond course selection, serving as a crucial support system that enhances students’ academic performance and workforce preparedness.
In a statement, NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, noted the Vice-Chancellor’s call for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to prioritise academic counselling services in all educational institutions.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, commended Professor Ukwueze for his research and advocacy in academic counselling, recognising its profound impact on student success. He reaffirmed NOUN’s commitment to enhancing academic counselling services and integrating them as a core component of the institution’s educational framework.
