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The Twinning Center launched in September 2008 a new partnership designed to train social workers and para-professionals to provide much-needed care and support to Nigerian children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in the West African nation of 149 million.

This partnership is the Twinning Center’s first in Nigeria, and was established with support from PEPFAR through CDC/Nigeria and in close cooperation with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development.

Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City leads a consortium of organizations, including Howard University School of Social Work, the Nigerian Social Workers Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers, and a varied network of New York service delivery and professional organizations.

Together, the US partners are collaborating with the Federal School of Social Work in the city of Enugu and the Department of Social Work at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka to strengthen the capacity of both Nigerian institutions to provide in-service and pre-service training in social work, case management, leadership, and other skills necessary to ensure comprehensive services are available to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Enugu State.

Partners conducted an assessment trip to Nigeria in September 2008 and second professional exchange in New York and Washington, DC, in January 2009 to develop their year-one workplan.

They have conducted a situational analysis of OVC needs; existing strengths and weaknesses in capacity, service, and training; available resources; and existing infrastructure. The results of this analysis informed the development of an OVC social work training curriculum, which was piloted in Enugu and Abuja in August 2009.

Updated December 9, 2009