Abstract
The study investigated the relationship between self-concept, self-efficacy, academic achievement, and career choice among senior secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research objectives and corresponding hypotheses. Descriptive correlational survey research design was adopted. The population comprised approximately 32,500 Senior Secondary School II (SS II) students in public secondary schools across the FCT. A sample of 381 students was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy, Academic Achievement and Career Choice Questionnaire (SSACQ). The instrument was validated by experts, and its reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.845. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between self-concept and career choice (r = 0.562, p < 0.05), indicating that students with higher self-concept tended to demonstrate greater clarity and confidence in their career decisions. Similarly, a significant positive relationship was found between self-efficacy and career choice, showing that students who believe in their abilities are more likely to make informed career choices. In addition, academic achievement was found to have a significant positive relationship with career choice, suggesting that students with higher academic performance tended to exhibit more defined and purposeful career aspirations. The study concludes that self-concept, self-efficacy, and academic achievement are important factors influencing career choice among senior secondary school students in the FCT, Abuja. It is therefore recommended that schools strengthen career guidance and counselling services, promote positive self-beliefs among students, and enhance academic support systems to improve students’ capacity to make informed and realistic career decisions.