Guidance Counsellors’ Involvement in Career Education Programmes in Unity Secondary Schools in Ogun State

Career education in Nigerian secondary schools is mandated by national policy yet remains inconsistently implemented, with the actual involvement of guidance counsellors varying considerably across institutions. This study examined the nature and extent of guidance counsellors' involvement in career education programmes in Unity Secondary Schools in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with 55 counsellors and 320 students from nine Unity schools participating. A Counsellor Involvement in Career Education Questionnaire and a Student Career Exposure Survey were administered. Data were analysed using means, standard deviations, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that most counsellors were involved in career guidance primarily at the point of subject selection and during examination preparation periods, rather than through year-long, structured career education modules. Fewer than 30 percent of counsellors reported conducting occupational information sessions or inviting career resource persons to their schools. Students reported receiving fragmented career information through teachers rather than dedicated career education sessions. The study concluded that counsellors in Ogun State Unity Schools need better support, time allocation, and programmatic frameworks for sustained career education delivery. Recommendations included developing a state-specific career education curriculum for secondary schools and mandating quarterly career-focused activities in all school counselling units. Keywords: career education, guidance counsellors, Unity Schools, Ogun State, career development.