Nigerian Senate Reconsiders, Passes Social Work Bill

The Nigerian Senate last Wednesday re-visited and passed the Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill.

 

The Bill entitled, “Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017 was first passed in December 2017 by the Senate.

 

The bill was thereafter transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

 

But, Buhari in February 2018, refused to assent the bill due to what he described as lack of clarity over the scope of the profession of Social Work.

 

The attention of stakeholders included the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), the umbrella body of all Social Workers in Nigeria, the Ministries of Labour,  Women Affairs and Social Development and Office of Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to this development, where the necessary corrections were made.

 

The bill was later sent to the Senate for consideration after the grey areas that made President Buhari to refuse assent on the bill have been perfected by the various Ministries.

 

The Senate, while reconsidering the bill on Wednesday, rescinded seven clauses of the bill.

 

The clauses include; 3, 10, 11, 16(2), 18, 21(3) & (4) and 28.

 

When assented to, the new law will recognise the establishment of the Nigerian Council for Social Work.

 

The bill seeks to establish the council to regulate practice of professional Social Work in Nigeria.

 

According to the bill, the council’s activities will be regulated by a governing council.

 

According to the bill when becomes law, the council, among other things, shall promote professional practice and uphold social work ethics and values.

 

The council shall also determine what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become member of the profession of social work and review those standards from time to time, as circumstances may require.

 

The council shall also promote research and ensure high standard and quality of training of Social Workers in Nigeria.

 

The Nigerian Council for Social Work shall be under the  total control of  the Federal Government of Nigeria when the bill is passed into law.