APATHY TOWARDS COUNSELLING SERVICES AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study investigated undergraduates’ apathy towards counselling services and the strategies for improving the counselling services the university of Lagos. Descriptive survey was adopted as the design for the study. The population of the study were all the undergraduate students in the 12 faculties of the university. The sample for the study were 144 (50 male and 94 female) students who were willing to participate in the study using google form. A 30-item questionnaire was designed by the researchers and deployed to the students through their WhatsApp accounts. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages and mean score for the research questions. While the t-test statistics was used in testing the hypotheses stated. The result of the study revealed students are aware that counselling services exist in the university. They however have varied reasons why they do not attend the centre. The respondents suggested establishing counselling units in all the faculties, employing younger counsellors among other strategies for improvement. The test of hypothesis one stated showed a significant difference in the perception of the respondents’ apathy towards counselling based on gender, with a   T-test value of -2.7057, P=0.0468 which was significant at 0.05 level of probability (p<0.05). While the test of hypothesis  two showed significance influence of religion on students’ apathy towards counselling with a T-test value of 5.3057, P=0.8345, which was significant at 0.05 level of probability (p<0.05).   Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made which include enlightenment programmes, introduction of online counselling, and establishment of counselling units in all the faculties.   Keywords: Apathy, Counselling services, Undergraduates, Strategies, University