📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Understanding what attracts individuals to social work and what retains them in the profession is critical to addressing workforce shortages and improving service quality in Nigerian welfare institutions. This study empirically analyses factors influencing social work career choice and retention in Nigeria, drawing on data from Kaduna State in North West and Ondo State in South West zones. A cross-sectional explanatory design is employed, with 220 social work students and practising social workers surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Multiple regression and chi-square analyses are applied. The study finds that intrinsic motivations including the desire to help others and social justice values are the primary drivers of social work career choice, while poor remuneration, heavy workloads, and lack of career advancement opportunities are the strongest predictors of intention to leave the profession. Social workers in the NGO sector report higher job satisfaction than those in public agencies due to better supervision and professional development opportunities. The study applies person-environment fit theory to analyse career retention dynamics. Original contributions include the development of a context-specific retention model for Nigerian social work. Recommendations include improving public sector social work remuneration, establishing career pathways within welfare agencies, and investing in professional development as a retention strategy. Keywords: career choice, retention, social work workforce, Nigeria, person-environment fit
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