The Relationship Between Developmental Social Work, Poverty Alleviation, and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

This chapter explores the nexus between developmental social work (DSW) and sustainable development in Nigeria with the specific aim of outlining the issues, challenges, and opportunities involved therein as they affect Nigeria's social development and social work. Social work, which promotes the advancement of social wellbeing, social change, empowerment, and liberation of the vulnerable groups, is an integral concept of DSW. DSW maps out a new direction for social work practice, offering processes to address the causes of societal dysfunction and socioeconomic challenges faced by the people. This approach could be used to tackle Nigeria's social issues and poverty. This chapter argues that there is overlap for DSW to promote and contribute to the realisation of sustainable development, the literary and documentary sources, and the review thereof shows that there is a relationship between DSW and sustainable development as both are geared towards promoting the welfare of the people.