By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government has said it will establish structures to strengthen social work practice in Nigeria, describing the profession as critical to national development and social stability.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, disclosed this while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Social Workers in Abuja.
Doro said the government would put in place mechanisms to ensure the growth and effectiveness of the profession.
“Social work is not just a profession; it is a pillar of human development. We will set machinery in place for it to thrive and achieve the desired results,” he said.
He added that the profession plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and refugees.
The minister said the Social Work Act 2022 has provided a legal framework for the profession and assured that the ministry is ready to collaborate with stakeholders to improve service delivery.
He also highlighted the ministry’s “One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System,” which he said would eliminate duplication and ensure efficient use of resources.
Doro said he had undertaken monitoring visits across the country to assess the impact of government programmes.
“I have met beneficiaries of the HoPE-CT programme and asked if there was any undue pressure before receiving support. The response was no, and we will use this feedback to improve future interventions,” he said.
He assured that the Social Work Council would soon be inaugurated.
Earlier, President of the association, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, said the visit was to push for the council’s inauguration and strengthen the profession.
“We want to promote the integrity of social work and ensure it delivers greater impact in society,” he said, noting that over 70 institutions offer the programme nationwide.