Social work services to internally displaced persons: insights from a qualitative study in Nigeria

Social workers should also recognize the importance of spirituality to the healing process and that, when sought, its application be done in a culturally appropriate way so as to foster trust. Research has shown that understanding service-user's spirituality may have beneficial effects on service outcomes between service providers and users (Unterrainer, Lewis, & Fink, 2014). Liaising with spiritual (church or mosque) leaders and traditional rulers may be one way to be knowledgeable and effective in this instance. Remarkably, many of these leaders occupy discernable positions or are patrons in many faith-based and civil society organizations.

Recommendations

Given the magnitude of populations affected by displacement and the dearth of literature on the subject, it is recommended that future research be conducted and that such study should include the voices and thoughts of displaced persons. More than this, research that includes the monitoring and evaluation of support services to affected persons should be carried out. Research that also focuses on the impact of social work services to overall well-being of displaced persons should also be considered. More importantly, the Nigerian government must rise above parochial thoughts by (a) expediting action necessary for the professionalization of social work in Nigeria since the current stalemate will not bode well for the millions of vulnerable, marginalized , and underserved citizens in the country, and (b) demonstrating unflinching commitment to displaced people by taking drastic measures in ensuring that the prevailing deficit of social workers in public institutions are addressed through the employment of professionally trained social workers.

Conclusion

This study offers a unique contribution to understanding the nature of social work services to displaced people in Nigeria. Drawing on a socioecological framework, it offers insights into the environmental factors undermining the delivery of effective services to displaced persons and offers a much broader array of options for future interventions. This study is one of the very few studies conducting in -depth interviews with social workers who work with displaced people in Nigeria and provides direction for desired improvements in services to IDPs. Taken together, an ecological model with the infusion of capability building perspective and advocacy interventions would enable social workers to work as a counsellor, referral, case coordinator, service broker, educator, facilitator, resource mobilizer, lobbyist, and enabler to advocate changes at the micro and macro level for the overall betterment of the social conditions of IDPs in Nigeria.

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