Assessment of Pre-Marital Counselling Needs of Tertiary Institution Students in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study assessed the pre-marital counselling needs of tertiary institution students in Kaduna State. Two research objectives, research questions and hypotheses each guided the study. A mixed research design was employed, and the study population was students in Kaduna State's tertiary institutions. A sample of four hundred and fifty (450) participants was selected using multiple sampling techniques. Frequency and percentages were used to present the demographic data of respondents. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation, while the t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that there is a significant difference between male and female students' pre-marital counselling needs and preferences. Females prioritise topics like communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial management, while males emphasise understanding gender roles and expectations within marriage. Added to this, male and female students show preferences for same-gender counsellors, with males often preferring counsellors who share their religious background. Based on the findings from this study, it was recommended, among others, that professional counsellors should develop differentiated counselling curricula that cater to the unique needs of male and female students is crucial. For female students, the curriculum should prioritise the development of communication skills, conflict resolution strategies, financial management literacy, and domestic violence awareness. For male students, discussions should be integrated to foster healthy partnerships, deconstruct societal expectations of masculinity, and understand gender roles within marriage. This gender-specific approach will ensure the counselling addresses each group's distinct challenges and expectations.