Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social work practice in Nigeria through the full operationalisation of the Nigerian Council for Social Work.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made this known during a high-level Strategic Dialogue and National Social Service Workforce Coordination meeting held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The two-day meeting brought together stakeholders from government institutions, development partners, professional bodies, academic institutions and civil society organisations to deliberate on the future of social work practice in Nigeria.
Delivering her keynote address, the Minister described the gathering as a defining moment for the social work profession, stressing the need for unity, reconciliation and institutional collaboration to improve services for vulnerable populations.
According to her, the institutionalisation of social work in Nigeria has become a national necessity.
“A house divided cannot regulate a profession. If we carry our divisions forward, we risk failing the very people we are meant to serve — the child in need of protection, the woman facing violence, the elderly without care, and persons with disabilities seeking dignity,” she said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development remains the coordinating institution for social development in the country, serving all Nigerians irrespective of gender.
She added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places social development at the centre of national transformation.
The Minister further disclosed that President Tinubu had declared 2026 a year for delivering tangible results to Nigerians, stressing that the Ministry was committed to building a unified and effective social work system capable of addressing growing social challenges.
“History will not remember who won which argument, but whether we had the courage to set aside our differences to strengthen social work practice in Nigeria,” she added.
She assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s political will to establish the Nigerian Council for Social Work on the foundations of professionalism, legitimacy and trust, while urging professional associations and institutions to nominate credible representatives in line with the provisions of the Act establishing the Council.
The Minister also paid tribute to pioneers, educators, professional associations and development partners for sustaining social work practice in Nigeria over the years, describing the progress recorded so far as a collective achievement.
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Nigeria, Child Protection Manager, Mona Aika, commended the Ministry for driving the operationalisation process of the Council.
She described the initiative as a decisive step towards building a professional and accountable social service workforce capable of effectively responding to the needs of vulnerable populations, especially children.
According to her, although the Social Work Act was passed in 2022, delays in implementation had created gaps in regulation, standards and service delivery.
“Addressing this gap is not only urgent; it is foundational to strengthening child protection systems and improving outcomes for children and families across Nigeria,” she said.
Aika emphasised that investment in the social service workforce remains one of the most effective strategies for preventing violence against children, strengthening family-based care systems and ensuring access to coordinated social services.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through workforce professionalisation, regulatory strengthening and improved accountability systems.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, represented by the Director of Gender Affairs, Mr. Adamu Ismaila, described the meeting as a critical platform for collaboration towards establishing a functional and sustainable Nigerian Council for Social Work.
She noted that the Council would serve as a cornerstone for professional regulation, ethical compliance, standard setting and capacity development within the sector.
“Our focus must move beyond policy articulation to concrete and actionable steps that will ensure the effective operationalisation of the Council and the realisation of its statutory mandate,” she stated.
The Permanent Secretary also underscored the importance of partnerships among government institutions, civil society organisations, academic institutions, development partners and technical experts in building a resilient Council.
She described social work as a vital tool for addressing societal vulnerabilities, promoting social justice and advancing national development priorities.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Director, Gender Affairs Department and Nigerian Council for Social Work Focal Person, Okwesa Benjamin Obiajulu, highlighted efforts made by the Ministry and stakeholders towards establishing a legal framework for the professionalisation of social work practice in Nigeria.
He described the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as playing a leading role in driving the process.
The strategic dialogue is expected to produce actionable recommendations aimed at accelerating the operationalisation of the Nigerian Council for Social Work and strengthening institutional frameworks for the protection and welfare of vulnerable persons across the country.
