Nigerian Social Worker Toni Adeleke Elected as IFSW Regional President

Ms. Toni Adeleke has been elected as the President of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Africa Region.

Adeleke, who is the immediate past National Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), was chosen during an election held on Tuesday in Panama.

This marks the first time a Nigerian social worker has been elected to this prestigious position.

The National President of NASoW, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, expressed his delight at Adeleke’s achievement, describing it as a timely and significant milestone for the social work profession in Nigeria.

He emphasized that this development demonstrates the growing recognition and importance of social work in the country and the region.

Adeleke, who previously served as the Vice President of the IFSW Africa Region, succeeded Dr. Noel Muridzo from Zimbabwe.

Her election comes at a critical time for the social work profession, as it seeks to address the myriad of social challenges faced by communities across the African continent.

Mustapha called on governments at all levels, agencies, development partners, and philanthropists to collaborate with NASoW to effectively tackle social problems and improve the well-being of communities in Nigeria.

He highlighted the numerous achievements of the social work profession in Nigeria, including the signing of the Nigeria Council for Social Work (Establishment) Act by former President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2022 and the hosting of the IFSW Africa Region conference in November last year.

With over 60 tertiary institutions now offering social work at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the future of the social work profession in Nigeria looks promising.

Mustapha emphasized the importance of engaging trained social workers in areas where their expertise is needed, noting that the era of assigning the wrong people to critical roles must come to an end.

As Toni Adeleke assumes her role as IFSW Africa Region President, the social work community in Nigeria and the broader African region eagerly awaits her leadership and the positive impact it will have on the profession and the communities it serves.