Indigenous Wisdom and Counselling Practices in Nigeria: Utilization and Perceived Effectiveness

The study examines the use and perceived effectiveness of indigenous counselling practices in Nigeria. While indigenous knowledge systems have historically guided psychosocial support, their role in contemporary counselling services remains underutilized. Two research questions and hypotheses were set for the study. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 250 participants drawn from urban and rural communities in southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected using three structured questionnaire measuring exposure to indigenous counselling practices, perceived effectiveness, and attitudes toward integration with western counselling. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (t-tests and regression) were employed for the study. Findings indicate that 72% of participants have utilized at least one form of indigenous counselling, with storytelling, proverbs, and spiritual consultation being the most common. Findings also reveal that indigenous approaches remain widely utilized due to cultural rel