Senate re-visits, passes Social Work Bill

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Senate re-visits, passes Social Work Bill

The Nigerian Senate has 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 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The Senate, while reconsidering the bill on Wednesday, rescinded seven clauses of the bill.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 the practice of professional Social Work in Nigeria.

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

The council, among other things, shall promote professional practice and uphold Social Work ethics and values.

The council, according to the bill when assented to by Buhari, shall 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 when the bill is passed into law.

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.

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