COOU Journal of Educational Research Vol. 7. No.1, October 2022; ISSN (Print): 2682- 5201; pg.165 – 178 165 ENHANCING YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY THROUGH CAREER GUIDANCE IN COVID-19 ERA OKAFOR, SCHOLARSTICA OGECHUKWU odibezewiper@gmail.com OBUMSE, NNEKA ANTHONIA (PhD) na-obumse@coou.edu.ng UNACHUKWU, DORATHY ISIAKU (PhD) doraunachukwu@yahoo.com DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS, FACULTY OF EDUCATION, CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY, IGBARIAM CAMPUS Abstract Youths are at the frontline of the economic disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result they are faced with unprecedented challenges and risks especially in terms of employment and employability. Therefore, this study examined the influence of career guidance in enhancing youth employability during Covid-19 era in Nigeria. The study reviewed existing literature on the subject matter and content analysis was employed in analyzing the data. The study found that Covid-19 has triggered one of the worst youth employment crises in recent time. Most youths were laid off and those seeking for employment were unable to get suitable jobs. The study contended that career guidance during the pandemic can serve as a tool for understanding the situation in depth and searching for new opportunities that exist, by helping individuals to overcome anxiety associated with lay off and low level of job availability. Career guidance can help youths to reflect on their ambitions, interests, qualifications and abilities taking cognizance of current realities brought by Covid-19 Pandemic. Therefore, the intervention of a career counselor during the pandemic needs to be centered around the basic physiological, social and self-realization needs of youths that were eroded during the pandemic. Key Words: Youth Employability, Career Guidance, Covid-19