By Qudirat Hakeem-Apanpa
The Federal Government has been urged to make professional career guidance services compulsory in primary and secondary schools across Nigeria to help pupils and students make informed decisions about their future careers and avoid mistakes in choosing subjects and courses for university admission.
Mrs Tawakaltu Zakariyau, Director of Medical Laboratory at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), made the call in Ibadan during the maiden edition of the Role Model Day celebration organised by MUAP Schools, Awonsoso, Apata, Ibadan.
She said engaging qualified career experts in schools would enable children to identify their interests, understand their abilities, and select the appropriate subject combinations required for admission into universities to study their preferred courses.
The Director stressed that early career guidance was essential to preparing young people for a successful future, noting that the right decisions at the foundational stages of education could save students from avoidable mistakes that might affect their academic pursuits and professional aspirations.
According to her, children need adequate mentoring, encouragement, and consistent follow-up to help them discover their potential, build confidence, and stay focused on their chosen career paths.
She described career development as a gradual process that required patience, determination and sustained support from parents, teachers and other responsible adults.
The LAUTECH director further advised students to seek God’s guidance in their decisions and cultivate the virtues of patience, endurance, hard work, and doggedness, stressing that success in any chosen profession requires commitment and a willingness to overcome challenges.
She urged the younger generation not to be discouraged by difficulties in pursuing their ambitions, but to remain steadfast and work diligently towards achieving their goals.
The Role Model Day celebration was organised to inspire pupils and students to learn from accomplished individuals, appreciate the importance of making informed career choices and begin preparing early for their future professional lives.
The initiative also gave students the opportunity to interact with a role model whose professional experience could offer valuable lessons on discipline, perseverance, and purposeful living.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Head Boy of MUAP Schools, AbdulGaniy Lawal, commended the Director for her sustained support for the institution, particularly her provision of free genotype testing for students at the beginning of every academic year since the school’s inception.
Lawal said the gesture demonstrated her commitment to students’ welfare and the development of the school community.
He also expressed appreciation to the school’s Board of Directors, management and staff for their dedication, commitment and hard work in providing an environment conducive to learning and character development.
The head boy urged his fellow students to uphold the institution’s values, serve as worthy ambassadors of the school, and remain committed to their academic pursuits.
He encouraged them to embrace hard work, discipline and good conduct as essential ingredients for success, adding that they should strive to achieve their individual ambitions while sustaining the school’s reputation for excellence.
The maiden edition of the Role Model Day underscored the importance of mentorship and career awareness in shaping young people’s aspirations, with calls for stronger collaboration among government, educational institutions, parents, and professionals to ensure students receive the guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future.
As Nigeria continues to prepare its young population for an increasingly competitive world, the call for professional career guidance in schools highlights the need to look beyond classroom instruction and equip children with the knowledge and direction required to translate their academic abilities into meaningful careers.
