This article evaluates how and to what extent indigenization of social work profession and practice in Nigeria can occur. There is a need to indigenize social work because of the shortcomings and inadequacies of Western social work theories and practices in addressing Nigerian social problems. For social work to succeed here, culture and tradition must be taken into consideration. Social work education and practices should incorporate some valuable local social-cultural practices. Social work should be indigenized in local contexts, that is, to accommodate the socio-cultural complexities of the over 350 ethnic groups and cultures in Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examines the perceptions of the services of the micro finance Institutions by the women service users, and how the services of micro Institutions affect businesses of the beneficiaries of the micro credit loans. The research design for the study was the survey method. The instruments of data collection were structured questionnaires and in-depth interview. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered to the female participants, and senior management personnel of the micro credit institutions were interviewed. The cluster and simple random sampling were used to select the participants for the study. The leaders of registered unions were the informants. The result reveals that the poor services and attitude of officials of micro finance institutions and other problems like the regressive tax regimes, harsh economic climate and patriarchy are negatively affecting the business ventures of the loan beneficiaries and by implication the goals of poverty reduction via micro credit scheme . The women beneficiaries are groaning under the burden of loan repayment and meeting other obligations as mothers and wives. This study is applicable in the context of social policy development at this time when social services delivery is not only poor but at dismal level. The need for gender sensitive and social development becomes imperative. It is critical to social work practice in the context of advocacy, empowerment programs, facilitating and initiating service delivery and Community organizing by social workers that will enhance the war against Poverty and other social impediments against women empowerment in Nigeria.

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Democracy is often applauded as government of the