Counselling Techniques as Veritable Tools for Attitudinal Change of Nigerian Youths

Abstract

Attitudinal change could be seen as moving from one life style to another, especially when such life pattern is abhorred by good society. Nigeria has been labeled internationally with so many negative names ranging from ‘corrupt’ to ‘unjust’. Most of the Nigerian adults have lived with these names that they appear to have imbibed them as their only way of life; so attention here has been directed to the youths who are the future leaders.  Counselling as a helping relationship geared towards the amelioration of problems has been suggested in order to bring about attitudinal change in Nigerian youths. Specifically, the cognitive re-structuring and role modelling techniques have been extrapolated as relevant to the Nigerian attitudinal problems.  It is hoped that if the Nigerian youths have the right kind of role models there could be some attitudinal change. It is also hoped that since illogical and irrational belief systems abound in Nigeria; if the youths could become more rational and logical in their thoughts they might decide to be the change agents needed for a better Nigeria; where equity, justice and fair-play will reign.

Keywords: Counselling, cognitive restructuring, role modelling, attitudinal change, Nigerian youths