Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the operationalize the Nigerian Council for Social Work, as key stakeholders across government institutions, development partners, professional associations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations gathered for a high-level Strategic Dialogue and National Social Service Workforce Coordination meeting at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Presenting the keynote address at the meeting, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, described the gathering as a defining moment for the future of social work practice in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for unity, reconciliation, and institutional collaboration to strengthen the profession and improve service delivery for vulnerable populations.
The Minister stated that the meeting was convened not merely for discussions, but because “the institutionalization of social work in Nigeria demands it.”
“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 declared.
She stressed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development remains the coordinating home of social development in Nigeria and serves every Nigerian irrespective of gender, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, places social development at the heart of national transformation.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu has declared 2026 as a year for delivering tangible results to Nigerians, adding that the Ministry is committed to ensuring a unified and mature social work system capable of addressing the nation’s 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,” the Minister emphasized.
She further assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s unwavering political will to ensure that the Nigerian Council for Social Work is established on a foundation of legitimacy, professionalism, and trust, while calling on all professional associations and institutions to nominate credible and competent representatives in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The Minister paid glowing tribute to pioneers, educators, associations, and partners who sustained the identity of social work practice in Nigeria over the years, describing the progress recorded so far as “a collective victory that must now be protected.”
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Nigeria, the Child Protection Manager, Ms. Mona Aika, commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for convening the strategic engagement and driving the operationalization process of the Council.
She described the initiative as “a decisive step toward building a strong, professional, and accountable social service workforce capable of responding effectively to the needs of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, particularly children.”
Ms. Aika noted that although the Social Work Act was passed in 2022, delays in operationalizing the framework have continued to create 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.
She explained that UNICEF’s global strategic priorities recognize that strong systems, skilled personnel, and accountable institutions are critical to delivering sustainable results for children at scale.
According to her, investment in the social service workforce remains one of the most effective ways to prevent violence against children, strengthen family-based care systems, and ensure access to quality and coordinated social services.
Ms. Aika reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through workforce professionalization, regulatory strengthening, improved accountability systems, and sustainable government-led solutions.
“What is needed now is collective commitment to move from intention to implementation,” she stressed, urging stakeholders to focus on action, accountability, and timelines.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Esuabana, Nko Asanye noted that the meeting of the National Social Service Workforce Coordination Group provides a critical platform for collaboration and alignment towards establishing a functional, efficient, and sustainable Nigerian Council for Social Work.
Represented by the Director Gender Affairs, Mr. Adamu Ismaila, she explained that the Council would serve as a cornerstone for professional regulation, ethical compliance, standard setting, and capacity development in the social work sector.
“Our focus must be deliberate and pragmatic, moving beyond policy articulation to concrete, actionable steps that will ensure the effective operationalization of the Council and the realization of its statutory mandate,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
She further highlighted the importance of partnerships among government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions, professional bodies, and technical experts in shaping a responsive and resilient Council.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that social work remains a vital instrument for addressing societal vulnerabilities, promoting social justice, strengthening communities, and advancing national development priorities.
She urged participants to approach the deliberations with professionalism, innovation, and a commitment to achieving measurable and sustainable outcomes that would significantly shape the future trajectory of social work practice in Nigeria.
The two-day strategic engagement is expected to produce actionable resolutions and recommendations that will accelerate the operationalization of the Nigerian Council for Social Work and strengthen institutional frameworks for the protection and welfare of vulnerable persons across the country.
In his presentation, Deputy Director, Gender Affairs Department and the Nigerian Council of Social work Focal person, Okwesa Benjamin Obiajulu took participants through memory lane on the efforts by the Ministry and Stakeholder towards achieving legal framework for professionalization of Social work in Nigeria as well as the Council to guide its practice, describing the Ministry of Women Affairs and Socal Development as playing the leading role.
Ahmed Lawan
Danbazau Mnipr
Head, Information, Press and Public Relations
FMWASD
