Some Catholic priests and professionals have organised a Back-to-School Retreat to help secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) build resilience, overcome trauma and resist negative social influences before resumption. The retreat, tagged “Back to School, Anchored for Success!”, aims to help students develop resilience, manage social pressures, process difficult experiences and remain academically grounded. Sponsored by Mindora Wellness, the programme is designed for students from JSS1 to SS3 ahead of the commencement of a new academic session.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Rev. Fr. Paschal Nwoko, an educational psychologist said that the initiative was designed to prepare students mentally, spiritually, emotionally and academically for challenges ahead. Nwoko said the 2026 edition placed greater emphasis on resilience, helping students identify negative social influences and develop healthy responses to pressures that could affect their wellbeing and academic performance.
He explained that the retreat would also address the need for young people to heal from traumatic experiences while equipping them with practical strategies for managing emotional, social and academic challenges. “The teenagers need the right tools to navigate peer pressure, negative influences and difficult experiences, while remaining focused on their academic and personal development,” he said.
The programme, which commenced on Aug. 24 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Games Village, will continue in participating parishes across Abuja until Sept. 1. The venues include Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Pyakasa, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Wuye and Christ the King Catholic Church, Kubwa, where sessions remain ongoing.
The retreat is a welcome intervention. Nigerian students face immense pressures: peer pressure, social media, and the trauma of insecurity. The focus on resilience and emotional wellbeing is a recognition that academic success depends on more than just intelligence. The involvement of priests and professionals ensures that the programme addresses both spiritual and psychological needs.
The winners: the students who will attend the retreat; and the Nigerian education system, which benefits from more resilient students. The losers: the students who are not able to attend; and the Nigerian government, which must support such initiatives.
Bottom Line: A retreat is helping FCT students build resilience. The focus is on mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. The question is whether the programme can be scaled across the country.