Professionalisation of Social Work Practice in Kano State: Challenges and Prospects

The professionalisation of social work in Nigeria remains incomplete, with significant variation in qualification standards, regulatory enforcement, and service quality across states and sectors. This study examines the challenges and prospects of professionalising social work practice in Kano State, North West Nigeria, drawing on the experiences of practising social workers and welfare administrators. A descriptive survey design is adopted, with 75 social work practitioners and administrators in Kano Municipal and Nassarawa local government areas surveyed through structured questionnaires. Frequencies, percentages, and thematic analysis are applied. The study finds that a significant proportion of individuals performing social work functions in Kano State do not hold professional social work qualifications, undermining service quality and client protection. Barriers to professionalisation include limited university programme access in the region, inadequate enforcement of the Social Work Council Act, and employer reluctance to fund professional development. Cultural factors that undervalue formal welfare education are also identified as structural impediments. Prospects for professionalisation are linked to growing recognition of social work's contribution to welfare delivery among state government agencies and NGO partners. Recommendations include strengthening the Social Work Council's regional presence, mandating minimum qualification standards for welfare sector employment, and expanding PGD and postgraduate pathways to enable existing practitioners to upgrade their credentials. Keywords: professionalisation, social work, Kano State, workforce development, regulation