Why Nigeria Must Establish The National Council For Social Work Now: An Urgent Public Appeal For Social Welfare Reform

By Gbeminiyi Mujaheed Adegbola, Ph.D

Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads in social welfare. Despite the Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Act being signed into law in December 2022, the council it creates has yet to become operational. This delay is no mere bureaucratic hiccup – it is a national disservice that perpetuates suffering among vulnerable populations and stalls the progress of the social work profession. Social workers and concerned citizens are raising their voices in a public outcry: Nigeria must establish the National Council for Social Work now. The urgency of this appeal cannot be overstated; every day without a functional council is another day that critical social issues fester without coordinated intervention.

The Role Of Social Work In National Development

Social work is not just a profession – it is a frontline defence against poverty, injustice, and human suffering. In Nigeria’s context of widespread poverty, high unemployment, insecurity, and inadequate healthcare, trained social workers are often the unsung heroes providing support and hope in desperate situations. Tragically, recent events have underscored the stakes: for example, a deadly stampede at a charity event in Ibadan (where crowds of struggling citizens rushed for food aid) led to the loss of over 60 lives, including children. Such calamities highlight how dire social conditions and lack of organized support can result in chaos and tragedy. Social workers possess the expertise to address these challenges through counseling, community organizing, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation services – but they need a structured system to amplify their impact. By strengthening communities and helping citizens overcome personal and economic hardships, social work contributes directly to national stability and development. In essence, when social workers are empowered and coordinated, society as a whole benefit, laying a foundation for economic growth and peace.

A Vacuum In Regulation And Oversight

More than two years after its enactment, the Nigerian Council for Social Work (NCSW) is still not constituted or inaugurated. This absence has created a dangerous vacuum in the regulation and coordination of professional social work practice across the country. Unlike fields such as medicine or engineering which have regulatory councils, social work in Nigeria remains without an official body to set standards, accredit training, or enforce ethics. The consequences have been dire: stakeholders report that the growth, recognition, and quality of social work are being undermined by the lack of oversight.

Without a council Standards and Training Suffer. There is no nationally recognized standard for social work education and training. Universities and institutes produce graduates, but in the absence of a council, there is no uniform curriculum benchmark or accreditation process ensuring all social workers are adequately prepared. This inconsistency ultimately affects the quality of care that vulnerable people receive.

Also,there is noLicensing or Ethical Enforcement. Nigeria currently lacks a formal licensing system for social workers. This means anyone can claim to be a social worker without proof of qualifications, and unscrupulous practitioners cannot be sanctioned effectively. A council would license qualified practitioners and enforce ethical guidelines, protecting the public from malpractice.

This condition has also brought about fragmented services across sectors. Social workers operate in various sectors – health, education, justice, humanitarian relief – often doing similar work but with no central coordination. The absence of the council hampers the ability to create unified policies and best practices. For instance, a hospital social worker and a school social worker currently follow different protocols. A council would bridge these gaps by providing uniform regulations and a code of conduct that apply across all sectors.

Similarly, the profession is currently experiencing limited accountability and professional growth. In the current vacuum, exceptional social work often goes unrecognized while subpar services go unchecked. A regulatory body would hold practitioners accountable, handle complaints, and set continuing education requirements. This not only safeguards service quality but also encourages social workers to pursue ongoing professional development. It would elevate the profession’s status, attracting talent and fostering pride among practitioners.

Stakeholders from all corners of the social sector – from the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) to educators and medical social workers – have unanimously decried this regulatory vacuum. In a joint communique, these groups lamented that the delay in operationalizing the council has “left the profession without necessary oversight and regulation, risking its integrity and effectiveness.” This is a clarion call that the government cannot ignore. Establishing the council is not just a legal formality; it is an essential step to restore order, credibility, and progress to social work in Nigeria.

Benefits Of The Nigerian Council For Social Work

Inaugurating the National Council for Social Work will yield multifaceted benefits for Nigeria’s social development. It’s not just about regulating a profession – it’s about unlocking the potential of that profession to drive positive change. Here are key ways the council will be transformative:

1. Professional Standardization And Best Practices: The council will uphold global best practices in social work, ensuring that all practitioners meet minimum qualifications and adhere to a standard code of ethics. By setting clear standards for education and practice, the council guarantees that a social worker in Kano and one in Lagos both operate under the same professional guidelines. This consistency breeds trust. Families seeking help will know they are dealing with accredited professionals bound by rules of confidentiality, competence, and respect. Moreover, Nigeria will join other nations in Africa (such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia) that have formal regulatory bodies for social work, thereby elevating our international credibility in human services.
2. Licensing and Accountability: With a council in place, social workers will be licensed to practice, much like doctors or lawyers. Licensure is vital not just to recognize qualified professionals, but to protect the public. The council can enforce disciplinary measures on those who violate professional ethics or engage in malpractice, thus weeding out charlatans. This will safeguard vulnerable clients (children, the elderly, the disabled, etc.) from abuse and incompetence. It also gives genuine social workers the pride and responsibility of being part of a regulated, respected field.
3. Coordinated Social Welfare Delivery: A council provides a platform for national coordination of social welfare initiatives. Currently, many well-intentioned programmes exist in silos: one ministry handles cash transfers, another oversees child protection, NGOs run independent projects, etc. The NCSW can serve as a clearinghouse for social welfare policies and programmes, ensuring uniformity and synergy across federal, state, and local levels. For example, it can develop guidelines so that whether a social worker is intervening in a school, a hospital, or a displaced persons camp, they follow harmonized protocols and can seamlessly collaborate with each other. This level of coordination leads to more efficient and impactful solutions to the country’s social issues. Rather than duplicating efforts or working at cross-purposes, stakeholders will work in concert under the council’s guidance.
4. Strengthening Of Social Services Workforce: By its mandate, the council will focus on workforce development – training and capacity-building for social workers at all levels. Continuous professional development means our social workers will stay up-to-date with modern methods in counseling, trauma healing, community development, and more. In a fast-evolving social landscape (with emerging issues like online child abuse, mental health crises, and migration), this is indispensable. The council can partner with universities and international bodies to offer certifications, workshops, and research opportunities, thereby empowering practitioners with new skills. A well-trained social service workforce will better support other sectors too – for instance, helping schools manage troubled youth or hospitals handle patient counseling – thus amplifying the nation’s overall capacity to care for its people.
5. Reducing Brain Drain And Creating Jobs: Today, many Nigerian social work graduates struggle to find recognition and structured employment at home, pushing some to seek opportunities abroad. By formalizing the profession, the council will open up career pathways domestically. Government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations in Nigeria will be more inclined to hire licensed social workers for roles that were previously given to unregulated personnel. This not only creates jobs but retains talent in the country. Nigeria’s vast population actually needs more social workers – to staff our schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, IDP camps, and community programmes – and a regulated system will attract bright young people to these roles, knowing their profession is valued and protected.
6. Better Protection For The Vulnerable: Ultimately, establishing the council is about protecting those who cannot protect themselves – the poor family needing social assistance, the orphaned child, the abused woman, the displaced community. A regulated social work profession means that interventions for these groups will be handled by qualified, accountable individuals working as part of an official system. Cases of exploitation or negligence can be addressed through the council’s oversight. For instance, if a social worker is assigned to support a victim of human trafficking, the council ensures that worker is trained in trauma-informed care and is answerable to ethical standards throughout the process. Such assurances are life-changing for vulnerable clients, restoring their faith in the help they receive.
7. Preventive Social Care Saves Money: Beyond the moral imperative, there is a strong economic argument for the council’s immediate establishment. Social issues left unchecked eventually translate into higher costs for the government and society – whether in the form of crime, healthcare burdens, or lost productivity. Empowered social workers can intervene early, preventing minor issues from becoming crises. Research shows that proactive social services (like youth mentorship, family counseling, or early childhood interventions) reduce long-term expenses on prisons, police, and emergency healthcare. By investing in a regulated social work system now, Nigeria will save public funds in the future. As the saying goes, “prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure.” The Council will spearhead preventive programs that tackle problems at the root, from drug abuse to school dropouts, thereby boosting national productivity and stability in the long run.

Succinctly, the Nigerian Council for Social Work is not just a bureaucratic body – it is a cornerstone institution for social progress. Its establishment will professionalize a vital workforce, ensure quality care for citizens in need, and fortify the social fabric that holds our nation together. Every day of delay is a missed opportunity to harness the full power of social work for nation-building.

How Establishing NCSW Aligns With President Tinubu’s Reforms And Vision

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has embarked on bold reforms aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s economy and society. From day one, his government took unprecedented steps – removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and extensive interventions in agriculture and infrastructure. These moves, though challenging, signal a commitment to long-term development and poverty reduction. Yet, economic reforms alone cannot uplift the masses unless paired with robust social policies. This is where the immediate establishment of the Social Work Council perfectly complements President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

The President has emphasized initiatives to alleviate hardship and invest in people – for example, expanding social safety nets and direct support to vulnerable citizens. Under his watch, Nigeria has greatly expanded the National Social Register (a database of poor and vulnerable households) to over 13 million households (encompassing 48 million individuals) by mid-2025. Using this data-driven approach, the government rolled out Conditional Cash Transfer programmes reaching nearly 4 million low-income households, mostly in the poorest Northern regions, with around ₦297 billion disbursed to help families meet basic needs. These are exactly the kind of ambitious social investments Nigeria needs – and social workers are critical to their success.

How does the Council fit in? By professionalizing and coordinating the workforce that implements such programs, the Social Work Council will ensure President Tinubu’s reforms achieve maximum impact. For instance, when cash transfers are given to households, licensed social workers can be tasked to follow up with those families – offering budgeting advice, monitoring children’s school attendance (a condition for the grant), and linking them with other services like healthcare or job training. This human touch and case management ensure that government funds translate to real improvement in citizens’ lives. Indeed, stakeholders have noted that addressing multidimensional poverty requires “not just funding but also structural reforms and inclusive community engagement.” Establishing the NCSW is precisely the kind of structural reform that institutionalizes inclusive, community-level engagement. It creates a framework where the government’s financial commitments are delivered through a trusted corps of professionals dedicated to social welfare.

Furthermore, President Tinubu has launched or expanded programmes like the Nigeria for Women Programme, which has empowered over 240,000 women in entrepreneurship across several states, and a Women Agro-Value Expansion initiative supplying tools and training to 5 million female farmers. These initiatives recognize that empowering women and youth is key to national development. But empowerment is not achieved by funding alone – it requires mentorship, psychosocial support, and community mobilization, roles that social workers are trained to perform. A National Social Work Council would enable the government to deploy social workers into these programs systematically, making them more effective. For example, social workers can organize women’s cooperatives, mediate family or community resistance to women’s new roles, and ensure that the most marginalized women (widows, rural women, victims of violence) are not left out.

In addition, consider the administration’s focus on humanitarian support: training 1,000 youths (in trades like mechanics and solar installation) through the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, cultivating farmland for conflict-displaced families, and building housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each of these efforts will benefit enormously from having certified social workers embedded in their design and delivery. Trained social workers can identify which youths need extra support during training through strength-based assessments (perhaps due to trauma or learning difficulties), ensure that resettled farmers receive counseling and community integration, and manage the psychosocial needs of IDPs moving into new homes. By inaugurating the Council, the government can institutionalize the deployment of social workers in all these initiatives, rather than doing it on an ad-hoc basis. It aligns perfectly with the President’s vision of a Nigeria that leaves no one behind – the Renewed Hope of shared prosperity and social justice.

Crucially, establishing the Council now would reinforce President Tinubu’s image as a leader who strengthens institutions for good governance. Just as his economic reforms aim to create a sustainable foundation for growth, this social sector reform will create a sustainable foundation for inclusive development. It sends a message that his administration is not only fixing macroeconomic issues but also tending to the social fabric of the nation through enduring frameworks. In the long run, the NCSW could become one of the legacy achievements of this administration, comparable to historic social policy initiatives in other countries (for example, how India’s establishment of a national rural health mission or Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program became hallmarks of their governments). Tinubu’s government has the opportunity to be remembered for empowering the very agents of social change who can turn economic growth into improved quality of life for Nigerians at the grassroots.

How Establishing NCSW Can Strengthen Public Trust And Political Goodwill

Beyond the direct social and economic advantages, constituting the National Council for Social Work without further delay holds significant political benefits for the current administration. In a democratic society, public trust is the currency of governance, and nothing earns trust like visibly caring for the welfare of the people. By heeding the call to operationalize the Social Work Council, President Tinubu will demonstrate responsiveness to both professional and public demands – a move that can greatly bolster his goodwill among Nigerians.

First, consider the constituency of social work professionals and allies. Thousands of social workers, educators, and students nationwide are watching closely and yearning for this reform. They have petitioned, written open letters, and even convened strategic meetings urging action. By granting their request, the President would gain the gratitude and support of an entire professional community dedicated to social upliftment. These are people embedded in every community – from urban centers to the remotest villages – who interact daily with citizens and influence opinions at the grassroots. Imagine the effect of them saying, “This government values our work and has empowered us to serve you better.” It transforms social workers into ambassadors of the administration’s commitment to the people. On the contrary, continued neglect could breed disillusionment, sending a message (however unintended) that the well-being of the poor and the vulnerable is not a priority. Such a perception can erode trust, especially among civil society groups and younger voters who are passionate about social justice.

Second, fast-tracking this council signals to ordinary Nigerians that this government listens and acts. Every Nigerian family, directly or indirectly, faces social challenges – be it caring for an ageing relative, coping with youth unemployment, or dealing with communal conflicts. The inauguration of the Council can be framed as a people-centric achievement. It shows that beyond big economic moves, President Tinubu is attuned to the everyday hardships of citizens and is building structures to address them. This narrative is powerful for an administration seeking to connect with its populace. It humanizes the government’s image. When election season arrives, it is precisely these kinds of actions – those that touch lives in a tangible way – that voters remember. While opponents offer promises, the incumbent can point to delivered results: “We didn’t just talk about helping the vulnerable – we created the very council that ensures every vulnerable Nigerian has a protector and advocate.”

From a broader political perspective, establishing the NCSW now, early in the administration’s tenure, allows time for its positive effects to materialize before the next election. By 2027, Nigeria could visibly reap the fruits of a well-regulated social work sector: better outcomes in poverty reduction programs, more effective response to social crises, and improved indicators in health, education, and community well-being. These outcomes can become shining pillars of President Tinubu’s campaign for reelection. Indeed, support groups and analysts have noted that building a record of people-oriented reforms is key to securing a second term. Showing empathy and delivering on social development is not just good policy – it’s smart politics. It bridges partisan divides because caring for the downtrodden is a universal value that resonates with all Nigerians, regardless of region or creed.

Finally, there is a legacy dimension to consider. African history remembers leaders who founded lasting institutions. By championing the National Council for Social Work, President Tinubu joins the ranks of visionaries who reinforced their nation’s social foundations. This council, once functional, can be a self-perpetuating body that continues to serve Nigeria well beyond any single administration. It will enshrine the values of compassion, professionalism, and accountability in our social care systems for generations. For a leader in his first term, thinking in legacy terms demonstrates statesmanship. It tells the electorate that the President is investing in Nigeria’s future stability, not just short-term gains. Voters are more likely to rally behind a statesman who delivers structural change than a politician who offers piecemeal charity.

In summary, the political capital to be gained from establishing the Social Work Council is substantial. It energizes a base of professionals, earns public trust through compassionate action, strengthens the administration’s narrative for reelection, and secures a lasting legacy of institutional reform. It is a win-win strategy for both the Nigerian people and their leaders.

A Call To Action: No More Delay

The case is clear and compelling. Nigeria stands to gain immensely by immediately inaugurating the National Council for Social Work, and it stands to lose much by further procrastination. This is a clarion call to the Federal Government, policymakers, and all stakeholders: Act now in the interest of our nation’s social well-being. As the stakeholder communique rightly urged, all segments of society – policy makers, the media, and the general public – must throw their weight behind this cause that “seeks to enhance the delivery of essential social services, protect the vulnerable, and promote national development through professional social work practice”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in particular, is uniquely positioned to translate this long-awaited reform from paper to reality. The legislation is in place, the professionals are ready, and the need is undeniable. What remains is the political will to implement. By cutting through the red tape and vested interests stalling the Council’s formation, the President can demonstrate decisive leadership. Let him be remembered as the leader who listened to the cries of the people and responded with action – who completed the work begun by his predecessor and took it to greater heights by empowering those who care for the vulnerable.

To the government and relevant ministries: we appeal for unity of purpose. Turf wars or inter-ministerial rivalries (as reportedly occurred over which ministry would house the Council) must be set aside. The focus should be on what truly matters – getting the Council up and running with qualified professionals at the helm, in line with the Act and global best practices. The lives and hopes of millions depend on effective social services; this is not an arena for bureaucratic power struggles. We urge the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and all other relevant bodies to collaborate sincerely, guided by the Act and the expertise of practicing social workers, to constitute the Council the right way.

To our fellow citizens: your voice is crucial. Public opinion and advocacy can accelerate this change. Support the call for the NCSW in your communities, on radio, in newspapers, and on social media. Demand accountability for why a law meant to help the people has not been implemented. Every Nigerian has a stake in this, because a society with strong social support is a society where everyone is safer and more prosperous. When a former street child grows up to be a productive entrepreneur because a social worker guided him, we all win. When a family in crisis is helped to heal instead of falling apart, the nation’s fabric is strengthened. These outcomes affect us all, rich or poor.

In conclusion, establishing the National Council for Social Work is not just a bureaucratic checkbox; it is a moral and developmental imperative for Nigeria. It aligns with our highest values of ubuntu – “I am because we are” – recognizing that our nation’s progress is measured not by the wealth of a few, but by the well-being of all. It aligns with President Tinubu’s reformist drive, giving it a human face and ensuring that economic gains translate to social gains. And it aligns with the dreams of our founding fathers for a nation built on justice and compassion.

The time to act is now. Let this public appeal stir the conscience of those in power and the determination of those on the frontlines of social service. Nigeria must inaugurate the National Council for Social Work without any further delay – for the sake of our vulnerable brothers and sisters, for the integrity of the social work profession, and for the future of our beloved country.

Together, let us take this bold step toward a more caring, stable, and developed Nigeria. The whole nation is watching, and history will remember what we choose to do at this moment. The message is resounding and clear: establish the National Council for Social Work now!

Dr. Adegbola wrote in from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State