By Idayat Hassan
A Counsellor at the Counselling and Human Development Centre, University of Ilorin, Mrs Sherifat Tinuke Oniye, has urged students of the institution to champion a culture whereby every individual feels physically safe and emotionally included in order to foster a truly thriving academic community.
Mrs Oniye gave this advice last Monday (October 27, 2025) while speaking on “Meet the Counselor”, a weekly counselling programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM. The programme was anchored by Mrs Idayat Hassan.
She explained that safety and inclusion are two pillars of a healthy student experience, describing safety as the “floor” and inclusion as the “ceiling” necessary for students to reach their highest potential.
Addressing the need for a robust support system, the counsellor outlined the network of help available to students, including the University Security Unit, the University Health Centre, the Dean of Student Affairs’ office, and the Counselling and Human Development Centre for psychological and emotional support.
“Seeking help is a sign of strength and self-awareness, not weakness,” Mrs Oniye noted as she reassured students who might feel stigmatised about seeking counselling. “You see a doctor for a physical cough, you see a counsellor for emotional or mental distress”, she said.
On the value of fostering inclusion, Mrs Oniye pointed out that subtle acts like microaggressions can be as damaging as overt threats. She advised students to be builders of an inclusive community by actively reaching out to those who seem different or isolated.
During an interactive session with listeners, Mrs Oniye addressed pressing student concerns, offering practical guidance. Responding to an anonymous student who reported feeling embarrassed by a lecturer’s tribal jokes, she validated the student’s feelings, classifying such acts as microaggressions.
“Your education and dignity are paramount,” Mrs Oniye stated, advising the student to either calmly address the issue privately with the lecturer or formally report it to the Head of Department or the Dean of Student Affairs’ office.
On fostering personal connections, she counselled an introverted student to seek out low-pressure, interest-based groups and reassured them that introversion is a strength. “Belonging starts with one or two genuine connections, not a crowd,” she noted.
When asked about the University’s active role in promoting inclusion, Mrs Oniye highlighted ongoing initiatives such as seminars on cultural awareness, the celebration of cultural weeks, and workshops on ‘Intercultural Communication’ organised by the Counselling Centre.
The counsellor charged every student to become a proactive “builder” of the campus community as she also urged them to enhance safety by being vigilant and promoting inclusion through simple and kind gestures.
“Reach out to one person who seems different from you or who is sitting alone. Smile, ask for his or her name, and listen. That single act of kindness can change someone’s entire university experience,” Mrs Oniye counselled.
