Intervention Strategies for Managing School Dropout Among Adolescent Girls in Yobe State

This study investigates counselling and psychosocial intervention strategies for managing school dropout among adolescent girls in Yobe State, North East Nigeria. Yobe State has one of the lowest female secondary school completion rates in Nigeria, with early marriage, insecurity, domestic responsibilities, and poverty identified as primary dropout drivers. The study employs a mixed-methods design, involving 140 female students at risk of dropping out and 40 school counsellors from twelve secondary schools across Damaturu and Potiskum Local Government Areas. A risk factor inventory, the Academic Resilience Scale, and semi-structured counsellor interviews were used. Quantitative data were analysed using multiple regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings indicate that psychosocial risk factors including low academic self-efficacy, family pressure to marry, and lack of a female role model in education are the strongest predictors of dropout intention. Counselling interventions that engaged both the student and her family were significantly more effective in sustaining school attendance than student-only approaches. Female counsellors with community standing were more trusted by both students and parents, improving intervention access. These findings highlight the need for community-embedded, family-inclusive counselling approaches in North East Nigeria. The Yobe State Ministry of Education is urged to deploy female counsellors trained in gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate counselling in all secondary schools and to involve community and religious leaders in dropout prevention efforts. Keywords: school dropout, adolescent girls, intervention, Yobe State, gender equity.