By Esther Sangodele
The Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association (GCIOBA) has cautioned students against choosing careers solely for financial rewards, popularity or pressure from friends and family, urging them to identify their strengths and make informed decisions about their future.
The association gave the advice at its 2026 Career Day Expo and University Admission Seminar held at Government College Ibadan on Thursday, October 15.
The programme was graced by professionals, psychologists, educators, alumni and other stakeholders.
Speaking on the initiative, the chairman of GCIOBA’s United States branch, Taiwo Demuren, said the programme was designed to help students understand their strengths, weaknesses and aspirations while exploring career opportunities.
He said the sessions were tailored to students in Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1 to SSS 3, with professionals and other stakeholders providing guidance on career choices and relevant university courses.
Also speaking, an Associate Professor at the University of Ibadan and chairman of the association’s Ibadan branch, Dr Oluwafemi Oyemakin, said the initiative was aimed at helping students discover who they wanted to become rather than live according to other people’s expectations.
Oyemakin, who is also deputy chairman of the association’s teacher support committee, described education as a process of acquiring experiences that shape an individual’s development.
He called for increased investment in school counselling services, noting that professional guidance could help students identify their interests and make better decisions about their futures.
To illustrate the importance of allowing young people to explore their aspirations, he recounted how his daughter’s school assessed her interests and discovered that she wanted to become a medical doctor, contrary to his expectation that she might choose dancing or singing.
He said the experience reinforced the need for parents and schools to listen to young people and support their individual ambitions.
At a session for SS1 students, Dr Deborah Demuren, speaking on the topic, “Future-Proof: Building a Career Path That Survives Change,” urged parents to identify and nurture their children’s abilities rather than impose career choices on them.
She urged parents to act as supporters and motivators, allowing their children to explore their strengths as they prepare for the future.
Another session, led by Akinola Morakinyo of the 2019 set, focused on “Discover Your Future, Dream It, Plan It, Become It.”
Morakinyo charged SS2 students to understand their abilities, recognise their strengths and weaknesses, pursue excellence and develop good character, behaviour and interpersonal relationships.
He also cautioned them against distractions and stressed the importance of managing their attention and building meaningful relationships.
“Government College Ibadan already gives you access, but your character will sustain that access,” he told the students.
The session for JSS3 students examined common mistakes in career selection, including following popular trends, pursuing jobs solely for financial gain, allowing friends to influence decisions and interpreting failure as proof of inability.
The students were encouraged to develop self-awareness, confidence, resilience and self-discipline, while recognising that success requires sustained effort.
For SS3 students, Abimbola Agboluaje highlighted 15 habits and qualities essential for personal and professional development. They included curiosity, reading, effective communication, time management, integrity, critical thinking, resilience, digital literacy, teamwork and adaptability.
He also urged the students to develop practical skills, follow credible news sources, participate in school and community activities, and set personal development goals.
In a presentation titled “Your Future, Your Choice,” Dr Adekunle Odedokun of the University of Ibadan urged students to discover themselves and explore career options before deciding on courses and professions.
The session urged them to look beyond familiar or socially celebrated professions, research admission and subject requirements, develop relevant skills and prepare for changing career opportunities. It also highlighted the importance of character, resilience and responsible use of technology.
Speaking to SS3 students, Prof Abdulkabir Oladimeji of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, urged them to remain dedicated and resilient as they prepared for their next stage of education.
Oladimeji noted that while some students would gain admission into higher institutions immediately after graduation, others might have to wait and try again, while wrong choices could hinder some from progressing.
He urged the students to strive for immediate admission through perseverance, dedication and resilience, even when academic demands became challenging.
The professor also reminded them of the second stanza of the school’s song, “Service to others, not to self,” urging them to remember their alma mater and give back when they became successful.
He appealed to parents to support and encourage their children, particularly as they prepared for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination.
Teachers at the school welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of career opportunities beyond the classroom.
A Social and Citizenship Education teacher, Mrs Nafisat Ishola, said the programme exposed students to new possibilities and helped them understand the need to research their preferred careers, know themselves and work towards personal development.
A JSS3 student, Babalola Bilal Olayemi, said he learnt the importance of confidence, courage, resilience and caring for others.
He said he aspired to become a footballer because of his interest and ability in the sport, adding that he intended to develop his talent rather than allow others to determine what he could achieve.
