A Legal Perspective on the Activities of Social Workers in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the activities of social workers in northern Nigeria, a region deeply affected by insurgencies, armed conflicts, and other forms of internal disturbances. Social workers play a crucial role in safeguarding the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict, providing assistance, promoting the application of international humanitarian law, and acting as neutral intermediaries between conflicting parties. While these are general functions of social workers globally, this research focuses on the specific roles they play in northern Nigeria. The study employs a doctrinal research methodology, which is particularly adequate and sufficient for this analysis due to its systematic and comprehensive focus on existing legal and academic resources. By relying on primary and secondary sources such as laws, textbooks, internet materials, periodicals, journals, and articles the doctrinal approach allows for a thorough and qualitative examination of documented data and perspectives on the contributions and challenges faced by social workers. This method is sufficient and was chosen because it provides the tools necessary to synthesize and critically analyze existing knowledge, highlighting patterns, identifying gaps, and drawing insights that may not require field-based or empirical investigation. Through the doctrinal method, the study identifies the extensive contributions of social workers in mitigating the impacts of internal strife and armed conflicts in northern Nigeria. It also illuminates the challenges they encounter and the strategies they use to overcome these obstacles. By relying on robust academic and professional literature, this method ensures a comprehensive understanding of the subject, making it an appropriate choice for the scope and objectives of the research.