"Our Work is Shaped by Culture": Understanding Social Work Practice in Nigeria Through the Influence of Local Traditions and Norms.

Abstract

Purpose: Social work practice in Nigeria is profoundly shaped by local cultural norms, while formal education and ethics remain grounded in Western paradigms. This disconnect creates a significant gap between academic training and field realities. The study investigates how Nigerian social workers navigate tensions between professional values and indigenous traditions in their daily practice.

Materials and methods: A qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to explore the lived experiences of 15 social workers from schools, hospitals, and community centers in Enugu Metropolis. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically to understand how practitioners interpret and respond to cultural influences in their work.

Results: Findings reveal that social workers face tensions between global professional ethics and local cultural expectations particularly around family authority, spirituality, communal decision-making, and traditional conflict resolution. Participants described ethical dilemmas including pressure to adopt informal practices such as cutting corners. Nevertheless, many found that culturally rooted approaches enhanced engagement and outcomes in community settings.

Discussion and conclusion: The study underscores the need to decolonize Nigerian social work education by incorporating Afrocentric theories, indigenous knowledge systems, and critical reflections on Western models. Recommendations include revising social work curricula, developing culturally responsive ethical guidelines, and promoting advocacy-oriented training. These reforms are essential for producing practitioners who are both ethically grounded and culturally competent, capable of delivering transformative social work within Nigeria's complex cultural landscape.