Key stakeholders in Nigeria's social work sector have declared that the continued absence of a regulatory council is undermining the growth and development of the profession across the country.

This declaration was made in a communique issued following a strategic meeting in Abuja convened by the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) in collaboration with affiliate professional bodies including the Association of Social Work Educators in Nigeria (ASWEN), Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON), and the Institute of Social Work in Nigeria (ISOWN).

The meeting, which focused on pressing issues affecting social work practice in Nigeria, particularly highlighted concerns regarding the non-implementation of the Nigerian Council for Social Work Establishment Act that was signed into law in 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the stakeholders, the delay in constituting and inaugurating the Council has created a significant vacuum in the regulation and coordination of professional social work practice nationwide.

"The absence of the Council undermines the growth, recognition, and regulation of social work practice in Nigeria. It is affecting the standardization of education as well as training, licensing of practitioners, and monitoring of ethical practices across various sectors including health, education, justice, and humanitarian services," the communique stated.

The meeting was attended by prominent figures in the profession, including Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, President of NASoW; Mrs. Esther Nasara, General Secretary of NASoW; Professor Alamveabee Idyorough, President of ASWEN; Professor James Ayangunna, National Secretary of ASWEN; Mr. Kayode Ogedengbe, National President of AMSWON; and Daniel Ellu, National General Secretary of AMSWON.

In a collective appeal to the federal government, the leadership of these professional bodies called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently operationalize the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Act to ensure that the regulatory framework envisioned by the law is implemented.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively in promoting the social work profession in Nigeria and resolved to intensify advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant government authorities until the Council is formally operational.

They also called on all stakeholders, including policymakers, the media, and the general public, to support this cause, which seeks to enhance the delivery of essential social services, protect vulnerable populations, and promote national development through professional social work practice.

The Nigerian Council for Social Work Establishment Act 2022 was designed to provide a regulatory framework for the profession, but three years after its enactment, the implementation remains stalled, leaving the profession without proper oversight and standardization.