Integrating Social Work into Nigeria's Whole-of-Society Approach to National Security: A Framework for Community Resilience and Sustainable Peace

Abstract

Nigeria's persistent and evolving security challenges have exposed the limitations of conventional state-centric approaches that rely primarily on military and law enforcement responses. Despite sustained investments in counterterrorism, intelligence, policing, and regional security cooperation, threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, violent extremism, and organized crime continue to undermine human security and sustainable development. These challenges have displaced millions, disrupted livelihoods, weakened community institutions, and intensified psychosocial vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for multidimensional and preventive security interventions. This paper examines the strategic role of professional social work within Nigeria's emerging Whole-of-Society approach to national security. Guided by Human Security Theory, Ecological Systems Theory, and Security Governance Theory, the study adopts a qualitative conceptual methodology based on a critical review of scholarly literature, policy documents, and international best practices published between 2021 and 2026. The paper argues that professional social workers possess unique competencies in community mobilization, conflict prevention, psychosocial support, family strengthening, rehabilitation, reintegration, and peacebuilding that remain largely underutilized within Nigeria's security architecture. To address this gap, the study proposes the Social Work–Security Integration Framework (SWSIF) as a conceptual model for integrating social work into national security governance. It concludes that institutionalizing social work within Nigeria's Whole-of-Society security framework would strengthen preventive security, enhance community resilience and social cohesion, and contribute significantly to sustainable peace and national development.