Nigerian Social Workers Confront Structural Deficits and Colonial Legacies While Advocating for National Unity and Hope

Professor Raimi Lasisi and others discuss the structural challenges and hope within Nigerian social work, emphasizing the need for unity and institutional backing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:47 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Lagos News

Structural Obstacles and Global Disparity

Professional social work in Nigeria is currently grappling with a multifaceted crisis characterized by a lack of political will and institutional backing. According to Professor Raimi Lasisi, the profession lacks the robust support systems found in nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. This disparity leaves Nigerian social workers without the necessary framework to thrive as a recognized professional body, resulting in chronic underfunding and limited resources. Lasisi notes that while social work is essential for the nation's fabric, it remains largely marginalized in terms of government investment and policy integration, forcing practitioners to operate under significant administrative strain.

The Enduring Shadow of Colonial History

The challenges facing the profession are deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s historical narrative and the administrative strategies of the colonial era. Professor Lasisi points out that the "divide and rule" tactics employed by past colonial administrations left behind deep-rooted ethnic and social fragmentations. According to his analysis, successive leadership cohorts have failed to sufficiently address this inherited disunity, allowing ethnic sentiments to influence public perception and institutional acceptance at the local level. These structural divides are not viewed as inherent to the Nigerian people but as persistent obstacles that continue to hinder the collective progress of social welfare initiatives and professional unity.

Public Misconception and Professional Identity

Beyond the financial and historical hurdles lies a significant challenge in public perception regarding the utility of social work. Many Nigerians lack a clear understanding of the professional role, often undervaluing social workers in comparison to practitioners in other social sciences or the medical field. While social workers do not provide traditional medical treatments, their contributions to psychological and emotional health are indispensable. In many global contexts, these professionals are recognized as essential agents of change, yet in Nigeria, their expertise in tackling poverty, inequality, and family instability is frequently overlooked by the broader public and policymakers alike.