To mark International Social Work Day 2026, the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) is calling for a national shift toward collective action. Against a backdrop of rising social fragmentation, the association is urging Nigerians to embrace the spirit of “Harambee”—a Swahili concept meaning “pulling together”—to heal deep-seated societal divides.
Addressing a Divided Landscape
Mrs. Modupeola Sahid-Adebambo, Chairperson of NASoW Lagos, highlighted that the most pressing social challenges today are rooted in the breakdown of core units: families, workplaces, and local communities. She identified several key drivers of this instability:
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Internal Conflicts: Domestic and family disputes.
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Political & Social Friction: Heightened polarization and discrimination based on ethnicity and religion.
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Systemic Weakness: A decline in community trust that erodes individual well-being.
“Building hope and harmony requires dialogue, understanding, and collective responsibility,” Sahid-Adebambo stated, emphasizing that social workers are on the front lines of repairing these fractured relationships.
2026 Theme: The “Harambee” Call
The global theme for 2026, “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society,” serves as the blueprint for this year’s local initiatives. To bring this theme to life, NASoW Lagos has outlined a month-long outreach strategy:
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Media Advocacy: Engaging the public through broadcasts to discuss family stability and community health.
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School Outreach: Educating students on tolerance, empathy, and responsible citizenship to prevent future cycles of discrimination.
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Institutional Collaboration: Partnering with government bodies and NGOs to strengthen social safety nets.
Global Context and Impact
Observed annually on the third Tuesday of March, International Social Work Day celebrates the profession’s role in advancing social justice and human rights. Coordinated by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), the day highlights the vital work done to combat poverty, inequality, and family instability.
In Nigeria, where social workers play a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable populations, NASoW’s 2026 campaign serves as a reminder that social cohesion is not just a government responsibility, but a communal duty.
