Perceived Role of Religious Values in Shaping Career Choices of Secondary School Students in Zamfara State

Religious belief systems exert considerable influence on the career aspirations and vocational choices of Nigerian adolescents, particularly in predominantly Muslim communities of the North West zone. This study examined the perceived role of religious values in shaping the career choices of senior secondary school students in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used, involving 340 students from ten secondary schools in Gusau and Talata Mafara local government areas. The Religious Values and Career Choice Questionnaire, developed and validated for this study, was the primary instrument. Data were analysed using means, frequency distributions, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that the majority of students perceived Islamic values as positively shaping their career aspirations, particularly in directing them toward professions perceived as socially beneficial and compatible with religious obligations. Careers in medicine, education, and public service were most consistently endorsed across religious value dimensions. However, a significant proportion of female students reported that religious community norms limited their perceived career options, particularly in relation to physical mobility and professional exposure. Counsellors were largely perceived as absent or uninvolved in facilitating conversations about the intersection of faith and career. The study recommended that career guidance programmes in Zamfara schools acknowledge and incorporate religious dimensions into career education frameworks. Keywords: religious values, career choice, secondary school, Zamfara State, vocational guidance.