The 2026 International Social Work Day Conference in Lagos turned into a broad call for national healing, as government officials and social work professionals warned that Nigeria’s growing social divisions require urgent collective action.
Held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the conference brought together policymakers, development experts, and practitioners under the theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.”
The event was jointly organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW), Lagos chapter, with a focus on rebuilding trust across ethnic, religious, and socio-economic lines.
Opening discussions framed Nigeria’s current reality as one marked by widening social tension, economic pressure, and institutional strain, with speakers warning that these forces are weakening national cohesion.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said the country is experiencing a level of fragmentation that cannot be resolved by government alone, stressing the need for a “shared responsibility model” involving all sectors of society.
He said persistent challenges such as youth frustration, unstable family systems, and economic uncertainty are deepening divisions, and urged stronger collaboration between government institutions, communities, and professionals to rebuild social stability.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said meaningful social progress depends on unity of purpose, noting that social workers remain central to strengthening families, empowering young people, and supporting vulnerable groups.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding social welfare systems, community-based interventions, and partnerships aimed at improving human development outcomes across Lagos State.
NASOW Lagos Chairperson, Modupe Sahid-Adebambo, used the platform to call for urgent regulation of the social work profession, warning that the absence of a fully established regulatory framework has created room for impersonation.
She stressed that effective social service delivery requires structured collaboration between government and private practitioners, adding that proper regulation is key to achieving professional credibility and unity of practice.
The NASOW National President, M.D Mustapha, described social workers as critical “builders of society,” urging stronger partnerships with government to advance inclusion and social justice.
Guest lecturers, Dr. Gbeminiyi Adegbola, and Prof. Fatai Baduru, traced Nigeria’s divisions to long-standing inequality, exclusion, and governance failures, arguing that these structural issues continue to fuel mistrust and polarisation.
They in their individual lectures called for a stronger application of social work principles in public policy, urging leaders to prioritise fairness, accountability, and equitable access to opportunities as a foundation for national unity.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to individuals recognised for contributions to social development, including journalist and publisher Mustapha Adekunle Ogunsakin.
Lagos Calls for Social Rebuild as Experts Warn of Rising National Fractures
The 2026 International Social Work Day Conference in Lagos turned into a broad call for national healing, as government officials and social work professionals warned that Nigeria’s growing social divisions require urgent collective action.
Held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the conference brought together policymakers, development experts, and practitioners under the theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.”
The event was jointly organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW), Lagos chapter, with a focus on rebuilding trust across ethnic, religious, and socio-economic lines.
Opening discussions framed Nigeria’s current reality as one marked by widening social tension, economic pressure, and institutional strain, with speakers warning that these forces are weakening national cohesion.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said the country is experiencing a level of fragmentation that cannot be resolved by government alone, stressing the need for a “shared responsibility model” involving all sectors of society.
He said persistent challenges such as youth frustration, unstable family systems, and economic uncertainty are deepening divisions, and urged stronger collaboration between government institutions, communities, and professionals to rebuild social stability.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said meaningful social progress depends on unity of purpose, noting that social workers remain central to strengthening families, empowering young people, and supporting vulnerable groups.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding social welfare systems, community-based interventions, and partnerships aimed at improving human development outcomes across Lagos State.
NASOW Lagos Chairperson, Modupe Sahid-Adebambo, used the platform to call for urgent regulation of the social work profession, warning that the absence of a fully established regulatory framework has created room for impersonation.
She stressed that effective social service delivery requires structured collaboration between government and private practitioners, adding that proper regulation is key to achieving professional credibility and unity of practice.
The NASOW National President, M.D Mustapha, described social workers as critical “builders of society,” urging stronger partnerships with government to advance inclusion and social justice.
Guest lecturers, Dr. Gbeminiyi Adegbola, and Prof. Fatai Baduru, traced Nigeria’s divisions to long-standing inequality, exclusion, and governance failures, arguing that these structural issues continue to fuel mistrust and polarisation.
They in their individual lectures called for a stronger application of social work principles in public policy, urging leaders to prioritise fairness, accountability, and equitable access to opportunities as a foundation for national unity.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to individuals recognised for contributions to social development, including journalist and publisher Mustapha Adekunle Ogunsakin.
