Professional Competencies of Guidance Counsellors in Managing Career Transition Challenges Among Retirees in Ogun State Civil Service

Retirement transitions represent a significant psychosocial adjustment challenge that is frequently underaddressed within Nigerian public service guidance frameworks. This study examined the professional competencies of guidance counsellors in managing career transition challenges among retirees in the Ogun State Civil Service, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 60 counsellors and 200 recently retired civil servants participating. The Counsellor Career Transition Competency Scale and the Retirement Adjustment Needs Inventory were administered. Data were analysed using means, standard deviations, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that while counsellors demonstrated awareness of the emotional dimensions of retirement, they lacked practical frameworks for financial counselling, identity reconstruction support, and post-retirement career exploration. Retirees reported significant unmet needs in areas of social reintegration and purpose redefinition. Counsellors in higher salary grade levels demonstrated marginally better competency ratings. The study recommended that the Ogun State Civil Service Commission mandate structured pre-retirement counselling programmes facilitated by competency-assessed guidance professionals. In-service training modules on retirement counselling, incorporating gerontological counselling principles, were proposed for integration into continuing professional development calendars. The study contributes to the emerging literature on occupational transition counselling in the Nigerian public sector context. Keywords: retirement transition, career counselling, civil service, Ogun State, professional competency.