PERCEIVED IMPACT OF COMMUNITY-BASED COUNSELLING ON DISPUTES RESOLUTION IN IJANIKIN, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explored the impact of community-based counselling on dispute resolution inIjanikin, Lagos State, Nigeria. Community-based counselling offers a grassroots approach to conflict management, emphasizing communication, empathy, and mutual understanding. The descriptive survey research design was used, the population of the study were residents of Ijanikin. The sample size of 200 participants was selected using purposive sampling technique for selecting key informants, community-based leaders, counsellors, and a stratified random sampling method to select residents from various wards within Ijanikin to ensure representation. Data were collected using self-developed questionnaire named Community -Based Counselling on Dispute Resolution Questionaires (CBCDRQ). Cronbach Alpha was used to measure the internal consistency of the instrument and value of r = 0.89 was obtained. The data from the self-developed questionnaires are analyzed using descriptive statistic for mean and standard deviations and inferential statistics were used to calculate One-Sample t-test, Chi-Square Test and One-Way ANOVA. Findings show that community-based counselling significantly contributes to peaceful cohabitation and reduces the incidence of prolonged disputes.The study concluded that community-based counselling holds great promise for promoting social harmony, reducing violence, and enhancing justice in local Nigerian communities like Ijanikin. To consolidate these gains, there is a pressing need for multi-level investment and community engagement aimed at strengthening the foundations of counselling practice and making it more accessible, respected, and impactful. It was recommended that there should be increase training and capacity building for community counsellors and integrate counselling into educational curricula and youth programmes.