Abstract: Academic confidence is a student belief in their ability to succeed academically, impacting their resilience, motivation, and career prospects in school and beyond. This study investigated the enhancement of Academic Confidence in Physics through Cognitive Apprenticeship Instructional (CAIS) among Secondary School Students in Benue State, Nigeria. The research also explored the effect of CAIS on male and female students academic confidence. Using a quasi-experimental design, 90 Senior Secondary School One (SSSI) students were selected through multi-stage sampling. The Physics Students Academic Confidence Questionnaire (PSACQ) was used for data collection, with a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Results The study found that the Cognitive Apprenticeship Instructional Package (CAIP) significantly improved students academic confidence in Physics, with a notable increase in post-test mean scores (x̄ = 38.7674) compared to pre-test scores (x̄ = 18.6977), as indicated by a significant t-test value (t = 30.010, p < 0.05). The results also showed that CAIP was effective for both male (x̄ = 38.64) and female (x̄ = 39.00) students, with no significant gender differences in its impact, as indicated by a non-significant t-test value (t = 0.171, p > 0.05). The study concluded that the CAIS significantly improves students academic confidence in Physics, benefiting both male and female students equally. The study recommended that CAIS is a valuable teaching approach that promotes gender equity and is recommended for Physics educators.