Roles of counsellors in promoting national integration as viewed by counsellors in Nigeria

In Nigeria, there are issues of insecurity, disintegration, lawlessness and heightened corruption among others. Issues of this nature need the role of counsellors when stakeholders are formulating policies for national integration. Hence, it is on this premise that this study investigated the role of counsellors in promoting National integration in Nigeria. The research design adopted for the study was the descriptive survey type. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting the respondents that participated in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 460 respondents for the study. The instrument used in gathering the required data was a self-developed questionnaire titled “Role of Counsellors in Promoting National Integration Questionnaire” (RCNIQ). Three null hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance using t-test statistical tool. The result obtained revealed that there was significant difference in the role of counsellors in promoting National integration based on gender, educational qualification and length of years in service. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that more school counsellors should enlighten the students on the need for unity and integration among Nigerians.  Seminars and workshops should be organized by counsellors in collaboration with the government, Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders in order to discuss and tackle contemporary issues on National integration and stability. Keywords: Counsellors, National Integration, Stability, Advocac

University of Ilorin Academic Staffs’ Perception of the Harmonisation of Academic Programmes and Qualifications

This study examined University of Ilorin academic staffs’ perception of harmonization of academic programmes and qualifications in West Africa. The findings were that there is a significant difference in the academic staffs’ perceptions by gender and duration of university teaching experience. However, no significant difference in perception of harmonisation was found on the basis of the respondents’ departments and academic ranks. On the basis of these findings, the researchers recommended that ECOWAS provides funds to encourage academic activities that foster harmonization among cooperating member states. It is argued that the organisation can also organize trainings and workshops for stakeholders on harmonization of academic programmes and qualifications. This will help to update the academic staffs’ knowledge of harmonisation of programmes and qualifications.Keywords: Harmonisation; Mobility; Internationalisation