Nigerian woman elected IFSW President
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) has elected Ms. Toni Adeleke, a Nigerian, as its President of the Africa Region. On April 2, 2024, in Panama, Adeleke, the former National Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Social Workers (NASoW), won the election.
The election of the Nigerian was the inaugural occasion where a Nigerian social worker assumed the presidency of an institution within the area.Adeleke, formerly the association’s vice president, replaced Dr. Noel Muridzo of Zimbabwe.Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, the national president of NASoW, expressed his congratulations to Adeleke and called her emergence timely.
On Thursday, Mustapha issued this statement through the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo, for the media to access.Adeleke, formerly the association’s vice president, replaced Dr. Noel Muridzo of Zimbabwe.
The speaker implored governments at all levels, agencies, development partners, and donors to collaborate with the association in order to minimise social issues in the nation as much as possible.
I would like to extend my congratulations to Toni Adeleke, on behalf of all members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASoW), on her appointment as the next President of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Africa Region. Toni Adeleke triumphed in a very competitive election, with the results declared on Tuesday.
“Toni Adeleke served as the former National Secretary of NASoW, the overarching organisation representing all professional social workers in Nigeria.
Prior to this, she was Vice President for the IFSW Africa Region.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigeria Council for Social Work [Establishment] Act in December 2022, during my term. In November of last year, Nigeria served as the host for the IFSW Africa Region conference. As a result, a Nigerian individual who is a dedicated member of NASoW has now assumed the role of President for the IFSW Africa Region.
This suggests that the prospects for social work in Nigeria are quite promising. Currently, there are more than 60 tertiary institutions that provide social work programmes at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
This represents a notable and substantial change in the current approach. “I am utilising this platform to implore governments at every level to involve qualified social workers in all areas where our assistance is required.” The era of mismatched individuals in inappropriate roles has come to an end.
By Nnaemeka Odenigbo
