The Lack of Social Work Schemes as an Impediment to Social Work Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

The research focused on social welfare schemes and Social Work. The methodology was qualitative comprising secondary sources of research. The theoretical perspective was the Devereux and Sabates-Wheeler (2004) transformative social protection theory. The lack of social welfare schemes led to inability of the public and most especially the most vulnerable Nigerians to get any form of social assistance. This led to extreme poverty which triggered insecurity and violent crimes across the country. The lack of budgetary allocation to fund social welfare schemes impeded the ability of government to recruit Social Workers to fulfil their professional duties of child protection, upholding human rights abuses of vulnerable Nigerians, providing services in public and private organisations. The Findings: the lack of social welfare is an impediment to effective social work practice and tremendous social suffering among the Nigerian public. Conclusion: Government should consider enacting laws to make the country a social welfare state so as to pay social welfare benefits to the unemployed and the most vulnerable Nigerians. Recommendations: Laws should be enforced to punish violators of human rights. Religious institutions should be encouraged to build retirement homes for their members so as to ease the housing needs of the aged population.