1,500+
Community members reached through outreach and advocacy
2024
Founded on 10 July in Benin City, Edo State
4
Countries: Nigeria, The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Senegal
90+
Students and practitioners on OPSWI ConnectHub
Operation Preach Social Work Initiative (OPSWI) is a youth-led, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the social work profession and strengthening the communities it serves.
Founded in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, on 10 July 2024, OPSWI raises public awareness of social work, champions the welfare of children and young people, supports families and communities in crisis, and builds the capacity of emerging social work professionals across Africa.
We launched with Wetin Bi Social Work, our annual flagship street outreach, and have since reached more than 1,500 community members through outreach and advocacy programmes. We work closely with the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), Edo State Chapter, and with student chapters such as OPSWI UNIBEN, and we contribute to the wider African social work community through networks including the Young Africa Social Workers Network.
Our mission
To create awareness of the social work profession and to advocate for its recognition, practice and reach in every community.
Our vision
To make social work a household name across Nigeria, reaching communities by engaging schools, families, organisations and the wider public.
Our motto
We Walk the Talk
#SocialWorkFootSoldiers
Our focus areas
Four areas guide every programme we run, from street outreach to international conferences.
Social Work Advocacy
Building public understanding and recognition of social work and the vital role social workers play in society, through street outreach, broadcast media and campaigns for the formal professionalisation of social work in Nigeria.
Child and Youth Welfare
Championing child protection, mental health and youth empowerment, while speaking out against violence, excessive corporal punishment and the stigma that keeps young people from seeking support.
Crisis Intervention
Delivering community development and crisis-response models for families and vulnerable populations, with young social workers offering mediation, psychosocial support and practical guidance.
Professional Networking
Connecting students, young practitioners and experts through OPSWI ConnectHub and wider African networks, including the Young Africa Social Workers Network.
Our story so far
- 202410 July 2024
OPSWI is launched in Benin City with Wetin Bi Social Work, our annual flagship street outreach.
- 202522 November 2025
OPSWI is inaugurated in The Gambia, extending our presence beyond Nigeria.
- 202528 November 2025
OPSWI presents youth-centric crisis response models at the IFSW Africa Regional Conference in Dakar, Senegal, contributing to the launch of the Young Africa Social Workers Network.
- 202617 March 2026
OPSWI ConnectHub goes live and welcomes its first 90+ members.
- 2026December 2026Upcoming
Omosigho, the human trafficking referral platform built by OPSWI, launches at the Footsoldiers Project sector conference.
Where we work
- Headquarters
- Wire Road, by ICE Junction, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
- National
- OPSWI Nigeria, coordinated by our National Coordinator
- Student chapters
- OPSWI UNIBEN (University of Benin)
- Across Africa
- The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Senegal
Be a social work foot soldier.
Whether you are a student, a practitioner or an organisation that shares our vision, there is a place for you in OPSWI.