Purpose-Based Career Coaching Research Group (Pb-CCRg)

Name of Research Group
Purpose-Based Career Coaching Research Group (Pb-CCRg)

Main research focus and other areas of research interest of the RG

The Purpose-Based Career Coaching Research Group (Pb-CCRg) is a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing research, practice, and innovation in purpose-driven career development. Our central focus is to explore how individuals can meaningfully align their sense of purpose with career pathways. This involves developing conceptual frameworks, building and refining theory, designing interventions, and evaluating practices that support purposeful career growth. By combining rigorous research with practical application, the group seeks to provide evidence-based strategies that inform policy, guide practice, and shape the future of career coaching and counselling.

Beyond this primary focus, Pb-CCRg engages in several complementary areas of research. These include studying employability and the school-to-work transition, with special attention to how graduates can be supported to enter the labour market with confidence and clarity of purpose. We are also committed to developing and validating instruments that assess purpose alignment, ensuring reliable tools for both researchers and practitioners. Other areas of interest include inclusive and special-needs career interventions, curriculum development and coach training, and programme scale-up informed by implementation science. The group also values international collaboration and capacity-building, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and the global advancement of purpose-based career coaching.

Title of most recent research project
1. Artificial Intelligence, Inequalities and Career Insecurity in Nigeria’s Changing Labour Market (Grant proposal submitted to IDRC – CRDI)

  1. Understanding the Psychosocial Determinants of Career and Mental Wellbeing Among African Youth in the Ride-hailing Digital Gig Economy (Grant proposal – awaiting decision by Wellcome Trust).
  2. Towards a Holistic Human Capital Development Framework for Enhancing In-demand Skills among STEM Graduates in Nigerian Universities (Concept note submitted to TETFUND NRF 2025).

Up to seven (7) other current or completed research projects

  1. Effect of Purpose-Based Career Coaching on career transition self-efficacy among college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (EDULEARN25 proceedings, 2025).
  2. Effect of Purpose-Based Career Coaching on career decision-making difficulties among youths (mixed-methods RCT; Current Psychology, 2024).
  3. Psycho-spiritual approach to Pb-CC: a step-by-step guide for practitioners (conference study; 5th World Conference on Psychology & Behavioral Science, 2024).
  4. Psycho-spiritual framework for Pb-CC (journal article; Psikoislamika, 2024).
  5. Teachers’ and counsellors’ perceptions of Pb-CC for graduate employability (survey; 2023).
  6. Examining Pb-CC and Be Inspired Student Intervention (BISI) for students with hearing impairments (quasi-experimental; IGI Global chapter, 2024).
  7. Purpose-Based Career Coaching strategy in Social Sciences and Humanities (conference paper; PSSHERS, 2022).
  8. Ongoing instrument-validation project for purpose alignment and career fulfillment metrics (in progress).

 

Name of the Coordinator
Dr. Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu

UNN email address of the RG
pbccoaching@unn.edu.ng

UNN email address of the coordinator
mkpoikanke.otu@unn.edu.ng

Current webpage of the RG
https://www.unn.edu.ng/purpose-based-career-coaching-research-group-pb-ccrg/

Phone number of the RG
+2348071888392

Phone number of the coordinator
+2348035599525

Base Faculty/Institute/Center of the RG
Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Department of the Coordinator
Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Headshot of the coordinator

Members and brief profiles (with UNN website CV links)

Note: Insert each member’s UNN staff-profile URL when available. Where non-UNN members collaborate, list their home-institution profile link.

Dr. Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu (Coordinator, (Pb-CCRg, UNN)

Dr Mkpoikanke Otu is the coordinator and originator of Purpose-Based Career Coaching (2016). He leads conceptual development, theory building, intervention trials, instrument development, and practical implementation of purpose-based career coaching for enhancement of career decision-making, career security, career self-efficacy, career/mental wellbeing, employability, transition and adaptability. He publishes across cross-cultural contexts, trains counsellors and educators, and directs multi-site workshops translating psycho-spiritual insights into scalable practice and policy for students and workers globally.

UNN profile/CV: UNN CV link| Google Scholar: Click Here | ResearchGate: Click here

Dr. Chukwuma Mgboji (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence)

Dr. Chukwuma Mgboji, of the Department of Computer and Robotics Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializes in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. His research explores AI-driven innovations in education and workforce development. Within Pb-CCRg, he advances technology-enhanced career interventions and supports evidence-based strategies for preparing learners for future-oriented professions. UNN profile/CV: Click | Google Scholar: Click ResearchGate: Click

 

Dr. Charity Onyishi (Neurodiversity and Educational Psychology)

Dr. Charity Onyishi, Neurodiversity expert and lecturer in Educational Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, focuses on inclusive education, cognitive diversity, and learner support. Her research addresses challenges and opportunities for neurodiverse individuals in career development. She contributes to Pb-CCRg through expertise in inclusive interventions and purpose-based approaches for diverse learners. UNN profile/CV: Click| Google Scholar: Click ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Johnson Ibuot (Physics and Astronomy)

Dr. Johnson Ibuot, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, brings expertise in scientific inquiry, problem-solving, and STEM education. His research interests span physics education and employability skills in STEM fields. At Pb-CCRg, he contributes to advancing purpose-based strategies that enhance career readiness for science and technology graduates. UNN profile/CV: Click  | Google Scholar: Click ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Vera Victor-Aigbodion (Senior Lecturer, Educational Psychology)

Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology with expertise in career transition, self-efficacy, and inclusive education. Collaborates on purpose-based career coaching studies, including interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Leads student mentoring, supervises research, and designs psycho-educational programmes integrating evidence, empathy, and cultural relevance for equitable learner outcomes and success.

Home-institution profile: Click | Google Scholar: Click| ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Chiedu Eseadi (Doctoral Graduate, University of Nigeria, Nsukka)

Doctoral graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializing in counselling psychology and career transition. Contributes to purpose-based career coaching research, inclusive transition support, and evidence-based practice. Experienced in quantitative and mixed-methods designs, programme evaluation, and practitioner training, advancing ethical, culturally responsive guidance services across school, tertiary, and community settings. UNN profile/CV   Click here | Google Scholar:  Click here| ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Ogbuabor Shulamite (Department of Counselling & Human Development Studies, UNN)

Lecturer in Counselling and Human Development Studies with interests in career guidance, mental health promotion, and learner support systems. Engages in purpose-based career coaching research, instrument validation, and counsellor training. Experienced in student advising, outreach, and community partnerships that enhance inclusive participation and retention across diverse learning contexts and outcomes. UNN profile/CV: Click| Google Scholar: Click | ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Elizabeth Ebizie (Department of Early Childhood & Primary Education, UNN)

Scholar in Early Childhood and Primary Education focusing on foundational learning, socio-emotional development, and family-school engagement. Contributes to purpose-based career education by integrating guidance principles into teacher preparation and early years curricula. Advocates evidence-informed pedagogy, inclusive practices, and community partnerships that strengthen lifelong learning trajectories from the earliest stages onward. UNN profile/CV: Click|

Assoc. Prof. Ibiwari Dike (Department of Early Childhood & Primary Education, UNN)

Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education specializing in curriculum design, teacher professional development, and assessment. Partners with Pb-CC projects to embed purpose-aligned learning and career awareness in foundational schooling. Leads research groups, supervises postgraduate work, and consults on system-level reforms that improve equitable access and outcomes for learners. UNN profile/CV: Click| | Google Scholar: Click| ResearchGate: Click

Dr. Patrick Chukwudi (Philosophy of Education, UNN)

Researcher in Philosophy of Education examining ethics, purpose, and the moral foundations of career. Brings philosophical rigor to Pb-CC by clarifying concepts of vocation, agency, and accountability. Research interests include virtue ethics, civic education, and policy discourse shaping equitable, purpose-oriented educational and career guidance systems nationally and globally. UNN profile/CV: Click |

Favour Mkpoikanke (Doctoral Student, Counselling & Human Development Studies, UNN)

Doctoral student in Counselling and Human Development Studies at UNN focusing on purpose-aligned employability, youth development, and programme implementation. Supports research design, data management, and workshop facilitation for Pb-CC interventions. Interests include wellbeing, coaching curricula, and scalable student supports bridging school-to-work transitions in resource-constrained educational environments across institutions and communities. UNN profile/CV: Click | Google Scholar: Click

Ajah Fidelis Ogbonnia (Master’s Student, Counselling & Human Development Studies, UNN)

Master’s student in Counselling and Human Development Studies researching purpose-aligned employability, student support, and data-driven programme improvement. Assists with literature reviews, survey administration, and facilitation during Pb-CC trainings. Interested in coaching practice, digital career tools, and scalable interventions improving school-to-work transitions for under-resourced learners and communities across regions and institutions.

Juliet Nwankwo (Fresh Graduate, Counselling & Human Development Studies)

Graduate of Counselling and Human Development Studies supporting Pb-CC programme delivery, participant engagement, and knowledge translation. Experienced in case management, workshop logistics, and follow-up mentoring for students navigating educational and career decisions. Interests include wellbeing, inclusive guidance approaches, and community outreach that strengthens equitable access to purposeful opportunities and futures.

10 key publications of the RG

  1. Otu, M. S. (2024). Effect of purpose-based career coaching on career decision-making. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06247-3
  2. Otu, M., & Eseadi, C. (2024). A Psycho-Spiritual Approach to Purpose-Based Career Coaching: A Step-By-Step Guide for Practitioners. Psikoislamika, 21(1), 17–41. https://doi.org/10.18860/psikoislamika.v21i1.26882
  3. Otu, M. S., Otu, F. M., & Ardi, Z. (2023). Purpose-based career coaching as a strategy for increasing employability of graduates: A survey study. International Journal of Home Economics, Hospitality and Allied Research, 2(2), 55–80. https://doi.org/10.57012/ijhhr.v2n2.005
  4. Eseadi, C., & Diale, B. M. (Eds.). (2024). Examining the Effects of Interventions Promoting Career Transition Self-Efficacy of Students with Hearing Impairments. In Perspectives on Career Transitioning of Students with Hearing Impairments (pp. 79–104). IGI Global.
  5. Victor-Aigbodion, V., & Eseadi, C. (2025, June 30–July 2). Effect of purpose-based career coaching on career transition self-efficacy among college students with ASD. EDULEARN25 Proceedings.
  6. Otu, M. S., & Eseadi, C. (2024, Nov. 11). A psycho-spiritual approach to Pb-CC: A step-by-step guide for practitioners. 5th World Conference on Psychology & Behavioral Science, London.
  7. Otu, M. S. (2022, Sept. 1). Purpose-based career coaching strategy in social sciences and humanities: Reimagining career education and training. PSSHERS, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia.

 

Patents / exhibitions / shows / productions

  • Workshops & Summits (selected):
    • 2021–2023: Five Pb-CC workshops across diverse populations (validated by Nigerian universities and international experts).
    • 12 Dec 2022: “Reimagining Your Career for a Global Fit” Summit, UNN (≈270 participants).
    • 1 Sept 2022: Pb-CC principles presented at Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia.
    • 12 May 2022: St. Catherine Secondary School Career Day, Nsukka (≈692 attendees).
    • 18 Mar 2022: UNN Secondary School Career Intelligence Workshop (≈120 students).

Bank account details of the RG

(To be created when the RG is approved)

Notes & administrative readiness

  • Collaborators: The RG is open to partnerships with international, national and local institutions/industries.
  • Training programmes: The RG has developed coaching certification, professional workshops for teachers/counsellors, school-to-work transition programme for graduates, student career-intelligence modules; delivered online and in-person.
  • Office/contact: Room 1, IGR Building, Faculty of Education Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.