The Chartered Institute of Counselling in Nigeria (CICN) has inducted 75 new professionals, urging greater attention to mental health support across Africa.
   
The exercise took place during the institute’s seventh graduation, induction and awards ceremony, themed ‘From healing minds to transforming nations.’ The event also marked a milestone for the institute following its attainment of chartered status.
 
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Director of CICN, Tolulope Oko-Igaire, noted that the event symbolised the culmination of the graduates’ personal and professional journeys.

“Today is more than a graduation ceremony; it is a convergence of journeys personal, institutional and generational,” she said, adding that the institute remains committed to strengthening professional standards in counselling and leadership development.
 
Chairman of the CICN Board and General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly, Wale Adefarasin, emphasised the importance of counselling in addressing emotional and psychological challenges facing many Africans.
 
According to him, unresolved trauma and untreated emotional wounds continue to affect individuals and communities across the continent.
 
“Africa’s greatest challenge is not a lack of talent or resources, but the many wounds carried silently in the minds and hearts of her people,” he said, noting that no nation can rise above the state of its collective mindset.
   
During the formal induction, Registrar of the institute, Olaitan Olagoke, reminded the inductees of the responsibilities that come with their professional status.
 
He said graduation represents readiness for professional responsibility, stressing that the institute’s mandate goes beyond training to producing competent, ethical and socially responsible counselling professionals.
 
The ceremony also featured a testimonial from the alumni representative, Nonye Pearl Mike-Nnaji, who spoke on the personal impact of the institute’s training and the role of counselling in fostering self-awareness and personal development.
 
As part of the event, CICN conferred its Honorary Fellowship on Laila Jean St. Matthew-Daniel in recognition of her contributions to mentorship, gender advocacy and human development.
   
Awards were also presented in several categories, including Student and Graduate Excellence Awards, Alumni and Professional Awards, and Staff Excellence Awards.
   
CICN said it remains committed to advancing professional counselling through training, certification and advocacy aimed at strengthening mental health support across Nigeria and the wider African region.