REINVENTING ISLAMIC GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING ADAPTABILITY TO ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This position paper critically examines the state of Islamic guidance and counselling for adolescents in Nigeria, mapping current practices, identifying enduring gaps, and offering evidence-based, culturally resonant adaptations. The study to support the evolution of a responsive, holistic, and ethically grounded counselling paradigm. Specifically, the paper analyzed the basic principles of Islamic guidance and counselling, empirical outcomes from Nigerian Islamic schools, counselling initiatives, and adolescent mental health studies, as well as cross-case comparisons of integrative frameworks blending Islamic and mainstream psychology, gaps and limitations inherent in the existing Islamic counselling approaches and procedures for implementing effective integration and adaptability. The study adopted the integrative, multidisciplinary literature review method and the results showed that the integration of Islamic counselling with psycho-spiritual principles significantly reduces depression, anxiety and other behavioural problems. The study concluded that Islamic guidance and counselling in Nigeria must evolve into professionally and evidence-based one rather than authority-driven and prescriptive model.