Artificial Intelligence integration in Student Counseling among Guidance and Counseling Lecturers in Nigeria Universities

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force, presenting unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize student support services. This study investigated the integration of AI-driven tools specifically chatbots and virtual counseling platforms in student counseling services across Nigerian universities. The research focused on assessing the extent of adoption, effectiveness, and challenges associated with AI applications in guidance and counseling. The study employed a descriptive survey design, with a population comprising guidance and counseling lecturers from 60 universities across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents. Data were collected using a structured 20-item questionnaire titled "Artificial Intelligence Integration in Student Counseling Questionnaire (AIISCQ)," validated by experts in Educational Technology and Counseling Psychology. The instrument, based on a 4-point Likert scale (Very High=4 to Very Low=1), demonstrated high reliability with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of 0.83 and 0.85. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used for data analysis, with a benchmark mean of 2.50 distinguishing between high and low adoption levels. Findings revealed significant AI adoption in specific counseling functions, including at-risk student identification (Mean=2.92), multilingual support (Mean=2.89), and automated urgent case alerts (Mean=3.02). However, limitations persisted in areas requiring human nuance, such as mental health screening (Mean=2.45) and video counseling (Mean=2.38). The study concluded that while AI enhances counseling accessibility and efficiency, its optimal use requires balanced integration with human expertise. Key recommendations include institutional investments in AI infrastructure, counselor training programs in digital competencies, and the development of national ethical frameworks for AI in counseling. These findings provide critical insights for universities, policymakers, and counseling professionals navigating the digital transformation of student support services in Nigeria's higher education sector.