Dr. Rauf Olatunji Abiola has been formally invested as Professor of Counselling Education and Psychology, marking a significant milestone in a distinguished career spanning education, counselling, psychology, administration, research and professional capacity development.
The professorial conferment and investiture, held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, brought recognition to a scholar whose career has been characterised by sustained commitment to learning, human development, counselling practice and the advancement of education.
The occasion was not merely a celebration of an academic title, but a recognition of decades of scholarship, teaching, research, writing, professional development and service to educational institutions.
Born almost six decades ago into the family of Alhaji Chief Bashiru Adelakun Abiola of Igbo Olupe Compound in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Dr. Abiola began his educational journey with a strong foundation that eventually developed into an extensive academic and professional career.
His academic qualifications include the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Social Studies/Islamic Studies, obtained in 1988; a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling/Religious Studies, which he completed in 1995 with Second Class Upper Division; a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Guidance and Counselling in 2002; and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Christian Counselling Education in 2007.
A Scholar with a Record of Academic Excellence
Long before his elevation to the professorial rank, Dr. Abiola had established a reputation for academic excellence.
His academic achievements include being named Best Graduating Student in the Department of Islamic Studies at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 1988.
In 1995, he again emerged as Best Graduating Student in the Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He maintained the same standard at the postgraduate level, emerging as Best Graduating Student in the Master of Education programme in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of Jos in 2002.
These distinctions underline a consistent pattern of academic excellence that has defined his journey from his early years in education to his emergence as a professor.
Scholarship, Research and Publications
Dr. Abiola’s contribution to academia extends beyond classroom teaching. He is also a prolific writer and researcher whose works have covered social studies, educational measurement, guidance and counselling, Christian counselling, theology, leadership and teaching.
Among his published works are Social Studies In Focus for Junior Secondary Schools, published in 1996; Measurement and Evaluation In Focus, published in 2000; Guidance and Counselling and Effective Instruction, published in 2002; and Information Services and Appraisal Techniques in Guidance and Counselling, published in 2004.
His later publications include Pastoral Counselling: Principles and Techniques (2007), Theological Survey of Christian Doctrines (2008), Therapeutic Issues In Christian Counselling (2009), Anointing for Leadership (2010), and Pedagogic Bible Teaching With 100 Topical Teaching and Sermon Notes (2011).
His academic writing has also addressed contemporary social and psychological issues. His journal articles include works on juvenile delinquency among adolescents, alcoholism from a psychological perspective, counselling education and development, and anxiety disorders and their implications for psychotherapy.
Contribution to Counselling and Professional Development
Beyond his publications, Professor Abiola has participated actively in academic conferences, seminars and professional workshops.
His presentations have addressed issues including the counselling needs of retirees, the role of teachers as bridges between counsellors and counsellees, child upbringing in contemporary society, and interpersonal communication and counselling in relation to HIV/AIDS.
He presented a paper on the counselling needs of retirees at the 28th Annual National Conference of the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) held in Maiduguri in 2004. He also delivered lectures at professional and educational training programmes, including an instructors’ training workshop at the Air Force Military School, Jos.
His interest in capacity building has further seen him develop and facilitate a wide range of training programmes.
These include Interpersonal Communication and Counselling on HIV/AIDS, Behaviour Change Communication on HIV/AIDS, Pastoral/Spiritual Crisis Intervention Training, Dynamic Leadership Course, Certified Christian Counsellors Course, Certified Bible Teachers Course, Performance Strategic Training Programme, Human Resources and Manpower Development Training, and Pre-Retirement Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Training.
A Career Spanning Teaching and Leadership
Professor Abiola’s professional career has taken him through several educational institutions and leadership positions.
He began his teaching career at A-Z International Secondary School, Ajao Estate, Lagos, where he worked between 1988 and 1992. He subsequently taught at Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi, Lagos, from 1992 to 1997.
His career later took him to Jos, where he served at Airforce Girls Military School between 1997 and 2001 and at Airforce Military School from 2001 to 2002.
His transition into educational administration saw him serve as Vice Principal (Academics) and later Principal of Sureq Model College, Jos. He also served as Deputy Director, Training and Management Education, at The Economics Institute, Wuse, Abuja.
Between 2008 and 2014, he served as Centre Director/Registrar of the Academy for Christian Counsellors of Nigeria, before becoming Institute