Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Social Work |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years, then NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Career field / body | Social-work associations (moves toward statutory registration) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English plus three relevant Arts or Social-Science subjects |
| Competitiveness | Moderately competitive |
On this page
- What Social Work is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Social Work & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Salary outlook in Nigeria
- Where it’s offered
- Is it a good course?
- Skills you’ll gain
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Social Work is about
Social Work is a helping profession dedicated to improving the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities — providing support, advocacy and services to people facing difficulty.
A brief history of the discipline
Social work grew from organised charity and welfare into a professional discipline. It is central to child and family welfare, health, and community support, and is moving toward stronger professional regulation in Nigeria.
What you will study
You study social work theory and methods, human behaviour and the social environment, social welfare and policy, casework, group and community work, counselling foundations, and a supervised fieldwork practicum — with a project.
Why study Social Work & who it suits
This course suits analytical, curious students interested in people, society and how the world works, with good reading and writing skills. Compassion, good communication and a genuine desire to help people are essential.
Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work as social workers in child and family services, health and community settings, NGOs and welfare agencies, hospitals, schools, correctional and rehabilitation services, and government social services.
Salary outlook in Nigeria
Social-work pay is modest in the public sector but grows in NGOs, health and management roles.
| Career stage | Typical monthly pay (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Entry (graduate) | ₦80,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Mid-level | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000 |
| Senior | ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000+ |
Figures are rough approximations (monthly gross) as of 2026, drawn from Nigerian salary aggregators. Actual pay varies widely by sector (oil & gas, fintech and multinationals pay far above the public service), employer, location (Lagos and Abuja pay more) and experience — treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
Where it’s offered: notable universities
Social Work is offered at a number of Nigerian universities, including the University of Nigeria, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and the University of Benin, among others.
This is not a ranked or exhaustive list — always confirm the current institutions and their requirements in the official JAMB brochure, or use our subject combination checker and the Social Work admission guide.
Is Social Work a good course to study in Nigeria?
Social Work is a meaningful, in-demand helping profession with growing recognition and roles across welfare, health and community services.
Why it’s a strong choice:
- Meaningful, people-centred work.
- Growing demand and recognition (moving toward regulation).
- Many settings — welfare, health, community and schools.
- Overseas potential.
Challenges to weigh:
- Emotionally demanding.
- Public-sector pay is modest.
- Competitive.
- Regulation is still developing in Nigeria.
It suits compassionate, resilient students who want to help people.
Skills you’ll gain
Beyond subject knowledge, Social Work builds transferable skills valued across many careers:
- Casework and counselling foundations
- Advocacy
- Communication and empathy
- Assessment
- Community engagement
- Problem-solving
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
B.Sc Social Work (4 years, with fieldwork) → NYSC → roles in social and welfare services, NGOs and community work, with professional development and registration as it strengthens.
How to get in: Social Work UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination for Social Work is Use of English plus three relevant Arts or Social-Science subjects. You also need five relevant O’Level credits including English Language. Confirm the exact requirement for your chosen university.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Economics — practise CBT
- Government — practise CBT
- Commerce — practise CBT
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Social Work, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Social Work in Nigeria?
The B.Sc typically takes 4 years, followed by the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Social Work?
Use of English plus three relevant Arts or Social-Science subjects
What does a social worker do?
They support and advocate for individuals, families and communities facing difficulty — in child and family welfare, health, community, correctional and school settings.
Is Social Work in demand?
Yes — demand is growing across welfare, health, community and NGO settings, and the profession is moving toward stronger regulation.
Is Social Work a good course to study in Nigeria?
Yes — demand is growing across welfare, health, community and NGO settings, and the profession is gaining recognition and moving toward regulation.
What jobs can I get with Social Work?
Social worker roles in child and family services, health and community settings, NGOs and welfare agencies, schools and correctional services.
Social Work vs Sociology?
Social Work is a helping profession that directly supports people; Sociology studies society and social behaviour.
Can social workers work abroad?
Yes — with the appropriate qualifications there is international demand for social workers.
Sources: Course content and career pathways summarised from Nigerian faculties of social sciences and relevant professional/learned bodies; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.