AfriPulse
By Felix Khanoba
A Professor of Counselling Psychology at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Fidel Onjefu Okopi, has urged Nigerians to embrace psychosocial counselling as part of their daily lives rather than restricting it to schools, clinics, or professional settings.
Prof. Okopi, who lectures in NOUN’s Faculty of Education, made this call while delivering the university’s 37th Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the institution’s conference centre in Abuja.
A statement signed by NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, said the lecture was titled ‘From Heart to Heart: Integrating Psychosocial Counselling into Daily Life to Build a Harmonious Nigeria.’
Explaining why counselling matters beyond professional boundaries, Okopi stressed that human life is shaped by emotions, relationships, and daily experiences, making psychosocial support a necessity.
According to him, counselling promotes resilience, adaptability, self-awareness, and meaningful relationships. “Counselling is not limited to clinics or professionals; it is the practice of human connection through listening, empathy, reflection, and support — skills anyone can learn,” he said.
The don emphasised that counselling without a professional counsellor is still powerful, noting that everyday acts of empathy and listening could make a difference.
“You do not need to be a therapist to listen deeply to someone’s pain, help a child to manage emotions, guide a young person in making good decisions, resolve conflict with empathy, encourage resilience during tough times or create safe spaces where people feel heard, respected, and supported,” he explained.
He further advised that counselling should begin at home, which he described as “our first place of learning, care, and belonging.”
He added: “Counselling is not only for professionals, it can be lived out daily in homes, schools, and communities through simple acts like attentive listening, kindness, reflection, and validation.”
Prof. Okopi noted that when psychosocial counselling values are applied in families and communities, they strengthen trust, reduce conflict, and build mutual respect. “Trust and safety flourish when principles such as confidentiality and unconditional positive regard are lived out in homes, classrooms, and communities,” he said.
He emphasized that parents, teachers, peers, and community leaders can all serve as first-line helpers, even without formal training, provided they practice empathy, active listening, and compassion.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi A. Peters, commended Okopi for drawing attention to the importance of everyday counselling.
He disclosed that NOUN has the highest number of counsellors in any Nigerian university, reflecting the institution’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing.
“We thank Professor Okopi for making us aware that we all can be counsellors in our everyday life, making us to understand that we do not have to be professional counsellors to help out in our society,” Peters said.
The lecture drew a large audience, including the university’s principal officers, academic staff, invited guests, and members of Okopi’s family.
Source: Authorityngr.com | Read the Full Story…
