Importance of Guidance Counseling for National Development

During her 40th inaugural lecture titled "Guidance Counseling: A Pathway to National Development" at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Rosemary Ochanya Ogbodo Adoga stated that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable national development without investing in effective guidance and counseling services. She noted that guidance and counseling are essential tools for addressing critical societal challenges such as examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, unemployment, insecurity, indiscipline, peer pressure, and mental health concerns, particularly among the youth.

Ogbodo Adoga emphasized that every individual possesses unique talents that can be nurtured through proper guidance. She advocated for the implementation of comprehensive guidance and counseling programs in schools, including appraisals, consultations, and placement services.

Additionally, she proposed establishing model educational institutions, including nurseries and primary schools in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, to expand access to quality education and strengthen learning outcomes.