RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: THE EXPERIENCE OF SELECTED UNDERGRADUATES IN A FAITH-BASED UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between spirituality and academic performance amongUndergraduates in a Faith-Based University in Ogun state, Nigeria in order to discover if spiritual development of students is an important part of their overall wellbeing. Through a descriptive survey, 85 students were sampledusing convenience sampling. Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Simple linear regression and one way ANOVA were used to test the three hypotheses drawn for the study. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between spirituality and the academic performance of the students. The study also showed variations in students’ spirituality based on their gender and academic levels. The study recommends that educational policies that accommodate the spiritual development of students in higher education should be implemented. The study also suggests that educational psychologists, counsellors and other helping professionals should be equipped with skills and techniques to explore holistic approaches to enhancing the overall experience of undergraduates.