Publication Details
Abstract
Emotional intelligence has become an important factor in students’ academic success, emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and behavioural adjustment in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The increasing cases of depression, examination anxiety, emotional instability, violent behaviour, substance abuse, cultism, and poor stress management among students have generated serious concern among counsellors, educational administrators, parents, and policy makers. This paper examined counselling strategies for developing positive emotional intelligence among students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The paper discussed the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance in students’ academic, social, and psychological development. It further examined major strategies that can be used to improve emotional intelligence among students, including effective counselling services, stress management training, positive peer relationships, emotional intelligence education, supportive lecturer-student relationships, leadership opportunities, moral education, and functional mental health support centres. The paper adopted the review research model through the use of secondary data obtained from textbooks, scholarly journals, conference papers, government publications, and internet materials related to emotional intelligence and counselling. The study established that emotional intelligence can be developed through deliberate counselling interventions and supportive educational environments. The paper concluded that emotionally intelligent students are more likely to demonstrate self-control, academic commitment, peaceful relationships, leadership ability, and positive social behaviour. The paper recommended adequate funding of counselling centres, employment of professional counsellors, inclusion of emotional intelligence education in tertiary institution curricula, and strengthening of mental health support programmes in Nigerian higher institutions.