By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), and the University of Calabar, have gone into partnership to develop a strategic framework for the establishment of the Institute of Social Policy in the university.
A 3- day collaborative workshop on the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) drafting and curriculum finalization of the proposed institute of Social Policy was held from Tuesday, September 22 2026 to Thursday, September 24, 2026, at EMJMM Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Addressing participants comprising distinguished scholars, subject matter experts, and development partners, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, said UNICEF’s work for women and children leverages on partnerships with institutions of government and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and programmes that meets the vulnerable, the poor, children, and women at the point of their needs through strengthening government capacity to develop policies and implement programmes that sustainably supports to survive and thrive.
Chiluwe noted that UNICEF sustains the gains of partnerships and collaborations through engagement with the academia and other research institutions that generate evidence to inform policy dialogues, advocacy efforts, as well as programme design, planning and implementation.
She said the engagement also aimed at building a knowledge base to empower a critical mass of the population on the strategies, programmes and activities to drive change and sustainable development, hence, the partnership between UNICEF and the University of Calabar.
The Chief of Field Office, stated that UNICEF’s engagement with the University was anchored through the Social Policy section, which provided cross-cutting support at federal and state levels on poverty, social protection, public financial management and local governance pillars.
She expressed confident that the institute will serve as a knowledge base that supports capacity building of government institutions, individuals and other stakeholders on national and global policy frameworks geared towards achieving the SDGs.
According to her, the institute will provide strategic support for the training of a critical mass of national professionals in social policy to strengthen national policy dialogues, policy development, implementation, and monitoring which would invariably enhance sustainable development for the Nigerian children and women, strengthen focused and sustained collaboration with novel partners, like the academia, to leverage their human resource base and convening power towards the realization of the rights of children and women in Nigeria, which is a criteria area of work for UNICEF.
She thanked the University of Calabar for providing an enabling environment for the strategic partnership, adding that UNICEF wss proud to be part of the partnership, assuing the University, the academia, and Nigerians that UNICEF will continue to support efforts and initiatives anchored towards the realisation of the child rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, emphasized that the workshop was designed as part of the collaborative engagement between UNICEF and the University of Calabar, for the purpose of establishing an Institute of Social Policy at the University of Calabar.
Offiong said Institutionalizing Social Policy in the University of Calabar wss not only timely but approximate the current reality in Nigeria, adding that the collaborative effort was therefore apt, because it is a direct response to the urgent need for policies and evidence-based interventions that advances the wellbeing of children, families and communities in various society.
According to him, UNICEF’s collaboration with the University of Calabar highlights the power of synergy between global development expertise and academic research.
He said the social policy should balance accessibility, inclusivity and affordability to ensure long-term sustainability of social protection.
Offiong, who was represented by the chairman, committee of Deans and Dean of faculty of social sciences, University of Calabar, Professor Enang Udah, described the collaborative effort as apt, because it is a direct response to the urgent need for policies and evidence-based interventions that advances the wellbeing of children, families and communities in the society.
The Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to UNICEF for recognizing the potential of the University of Calabar to serve as the centre for innovation and knowledge construction in the field of social policy and for considering the university for the collaborative partnership.
The director, Institute of Social Policy, University of calabar, Prof Grace Etuk, said the workshop signaled significant milestone in their collective commitment to bridging the gap between academic research, effective policy design, and sustainable human development.
Etuk observed that in a globe currently characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA], as well as socio-demographic and economic shifts, evidence-based social interventions were needed more than ever.
“For these much needed interventions to be made a reality, together with relevant agencies, tertiary educational institutions must go beyond the traditional boundaries of theory and step boldly into the domain of actionable policy innovation.
“The establishment of the Institute of Social Policy represents a major proactive step in response to this global demand for policy interventions”, adding that the institute was intended to serve as a hub for post-graduate studies, evidence-based interdisciplinary research, capacity building and policy advocacy.
“It is also aimed at equipping the new breed of policy thinkers, development practitioners, and social engineers with the analytical capacity needed to formulate, implement, and evaluate social safety policies and protection frameworks.
“For a vision of this magnitude to materialize, a robust partnership grounded in shared values and strategic synergy becomes indispensable, hence this partnership between the University of Calabar and UNICEF”.
Etuk assured that the outputs of the proposed institute will be both scholarly rigorous and actionable in real-world settings, commending participants to bear in mind that their intellectual contributions and expertise will directly shape the trajectory of social policy education and implementation in Nigeria, Africa, and ultimately the entire globe.
Acting Provost, College of Post Graduate studies, University of Calabar, Prof. Anne Asuquo, noted that the complex socio -economic challenges including deepening poverty, poor access to basic and threats to learning among others faced by the Nigerian child require more than just short term interventions but demand systematic, evidence-based, and sustainable policy solutions.
Asuquo observed that the continued gap between academic research and actionable public policy has hindered reasonable progress, particularly concerning the welfare of vulnerable populations, women, and children, praying that the academic activities, especially the research that will emanate from the institute will translate to policy that will transform lives.
“The Postgraduate College is fully prepared to house and nurture this initiative, ensuring that our academic programs meet global standards while deeply responding to local needs”, she assured.
The provost who was represented by the Head, External Relations, University of Calabar, Dr. Blessing Ntamu, urged participants to brainstorm and challenge conventional frameworks and utilize the window to provide a structural roadmap that will stand the test of time.
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