3 - Sociology and Social Work in Nigeria: Characteristics, Collaborations and Differences
Corresponding Author(s) : Patrick A. Edewor
African Sociological Review,
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2012): African Sociological Review
Abstract
This paper presents the evolution of sociology and social work in Nigeria and examines the current characteristics and areas of convergences and divergences in both fields. It was only in the 1960s that universities in Nigeria began to offer degree programmes in sociology with the
first sub-department and full department of sociology established at the University of Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively in 1960. These were followed by the other first generation universities and subsequently, the newer universities. There are now scores of Nigerian universities that offer degree programmes in sociology both at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. In discussing the characteristics of sociology and social work, the paper examines the teaching of sociology and generic social work at the tertiary level in two universities and the national social work policy and its limited implementation by the Ministry of Social Development under which social work is placed. This provides a reasonably clear picture of the current situation of sociology and social work in Nigeria. The findings show that the teaching of social work employs considerable sociological theories and sociology students are influenced by their exposure to social work. Some universities accept/approve the situating of social work in sociology departments for now. Social welfarism remains an area to be implemented in the future.
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- Erinosho, O., 1994, ‘Thirty-three Years of Sociology in Nigeria’, international Journal of Sociology Vol. 9, No. 2, pp.209-216.
- Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, Social Development Policy for Nigeria, Abuja: FRN.
- Morales, A. and Sheafor, B. W., 1983, Social Work: A Comprehensive Helping Profession, Massachussets: Allyb and Bacon.
- Odetola, T. O., Oloruntimehin, O. and Aweda, D. A., 1983, Man and Society in Africa: An introduction to Sociology, London: Longman.
- Odrah, C. I., 1991, identification of gaps in Social Work Education in Nigeria,Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Toronto.
- Ogunbameru, O. A., 1998, ‘Sociology: A Biographical Approach’ in Ogunbameru, O. A. and Rotimi, W. R., eds., Man and His Social Environment: A textbook in Sociology, Ibadan: Cardinal Crest Ltd.
- Ogundipe A., 2002, Social group Work, Benin City: Ambik Press.
- Okediji, F. O. and Okediji, O. O., 1970, ‘Introduction’ in N. A. Fadipe The Sociology of the yoruba, Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
- Onokerhoraye, A. G., 1984, Social Services in Nigeria: An introduction, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
- Otite, O., 2008, ‘Four Decades of Sociology in Nigeria’, Text of a keynote address presented at a Conference to celebrate four decades of Sociology in Nigeria. Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, October 16.
- Rotimi, W. R., 2006, ‘The Development of Sociology as a field of Dscipline in Nigeria’ in Ogunbameru, O. A. and Rotimi, W. R., eds., Man and His Social Environment: A textbook in Sociology, Ibadan: Spectrum.
- Wayne, J. H., 1986, The Social Services: An introduction, New York: Peacock Publishers.
References
Erinosho, O., 1994, ‘Thirty-three Years of Sociology in Nigeria’, international Journal of Sociology Vol. 9, No. 2, pp.209-216.
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, Social Development Policy for Nigeria, Abuja: FRN.
Morales, A. and Sheafor, B. W., 1983, Social Work: A Comprehensive Helping Profession, Massachussets: Allyb and Bacon.
Odetola, T. O., Oloruntimehin, O. and Aweda, D. A., 1983, Man and Society in Africa: An introduction to Sociology, London: Longman.
Odrah, C. I., 1991, identification of gaps in Social Work Education in Nigeria,Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Toronto.
Ogunbameru, O. A., 1998, ‘Sociology: A Biographical Approach’ in Ogunbameru, O. A. and Rotimi, W. R., eds., Man and His Social Environment: A textbook in Sociology, Ibadan: Cardinal Crest Ltd.
Ogundipe A., 2002, Social group Work, Benin City: Ambik Press.
Okediji, F. O. and Okediji, O. O., 1970, ‘Introduction’ in N. A. Fadipe The Sociology of the yoruba, Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Onokerhoraye, A. G., 1984, Social Services in Nigeria: An introduction, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Otite, O., 2008, ‘Four Decades of Sociology in Nigeria’, Text of a keynote address presented at a Conference to celebrate four decades of Sociology in Nigeria. Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, October 16.
Rotimi, W. R., 2006, ‘The Development of Sociology as a field of Dscipline in Nigeria’ in Ogunbameru, O. A. and Rotimi, W. R., eds., Man and His Social Environment: A textbook in Sociology, Ibadan: Spectrum.
Wayne, J. H., 1986, The Social Services: An introduction, New York: Peacock Publishers.