By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
In a quiet but consequential ceremony in Enugu, Nigeria’s long fight against poverty, inequality and social exclusion took a deliberate step forward.
The Federal School of Social Work, Emene, on Thursday admitted a new cohort of students into the profession that often stands between society’s most vulnerable and complete neglect, social work.
The occasion was the school’s 5th matriculation ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session, but the undertone was unmistakably national.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, the Director of Social Development, Mr. Valentine Ezulu, delivered a clear policy signal: social work education is no longer peripheral, it is strategic.
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the critical role social workers play in addressing the complex challenges facing our nation,” Olusanya said in remarks delivered on his behalf. Poverty, inequality and social injustice, he noted, demand trained professionals, not ad hoc interventions.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal School of Social Work, Emene, positioning the institution as a pipeline for skilled professionals needed to drive social development across Nigeria.
“Investing in social work education is investing in the future of our nation,” the Permanent Secretary said, framing the sector as human capital infrastructure—quiet, often invisible, but indispensable.
The Provost of the school, Mr. Chris Ajibola, struck a similar tone in his welcome address, assuring students that the institution is committed to their academic growth and professional development, even as the demands on social workers continue to expand nationwide.
The matriculation lecture, delivered by Professor Ndidi Ozofor, cut through the ceremony to reality.
Social work practice in Nigeria, she said, remains an uphill task strained by a shortage of trained professionals and the scale of social challenges confronting the country.
She traced the roots of the profession to Decree No. 12 of 1974, which formally established social welfare services and social development programmes, arguing that the legal foundation exists, but the workforce gap persists.
Her message to students was blunt: the work ahead will be difficult, but preparation, skills and resilience are non-negotiable.
Community and student voices
The host community also weighed in.
Representing the paramount ruler, Chief Aneke Jerome commended the school’s role in promoting social work education and pledged continued community support for the institution.
From the students’ side, a representative of the matriculating class offered both gratitude and candour—appealing for an enabling environment that supports learning.
He highlighted practical concerns ranging from campus upkeep and utilities to staff welfare, publicity, and opportunities for national and international representation.
The emotional peak of the ceremony came with the administration of the oath of allegiance, as students formally committed to the rules of the institution and the ethical values of the social work profession service, integrity and national contribution.
Closing the event, Mr. Akin Alesinloye, Assistant Director in the Ministry’s Social Development Department, expressed confidence that the new students would go on to make measurable impact in communities across Nigeria.
For a country grappling with deep social fault lines, the matriculation at Emene was more than an academic ritual.
It was a reminder that beyond budgets and policies, Nigeria’s social stability will increasingly depend on trained hands, disciplined minds and a profession built to serve where systems often fail.
