Faculty: Institute of Social Policy
Introduction:
In Nigeria and other developing countries, issues of poverty, vulnerability,
and social exclusion, social divisions such as gender, race, disability,
sexuality, and age have increasingly become persistent. Consequently, social
policy programmes have become central to the programmes and projects of most
national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
These organizations, especially UNICEF, partner with academics and the general
public to enhance the knowledge and understanding of key social policy issues
that will support development planning that is capable of resolving social
issues and challenges in Nigeria. This Ph.D programme in Social Policy shall
prepare candidates to engage in evidence-based research in Social Protection,
Rights, Poverty and Inequality, Public Financial Management, Governance, and
Gender and Social Issues.
The Ph.D programme in Social Policy shall prepare candidates who may wish to
pursue careers in social policy in civil/public services, research institutes,
universities, development agencies, financial institutions, and Non-Governmental
Organizations.
Philosophy of the Programme:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) programme in Social Policy emphasizes education and
training in various areas of Social Policy designed to deepen the knowledge and
capacity of candidates to engage in evidence-based research, teaching,
administrative responsibilities, policy formulation, implementation, analysis,
and evaluation of social policy. A major focus of the course is to develop the
ability to critically examine social, economic, and political factors that
influence policy formulation and the attendant implications of policy options
on socio-economic programmes/development of social policies. It will also analyze
the impact of social policies on vulnerable populations, service providers, and
communities. The grasp of current and emerging policies and their theoretical
underpinning, as well as practical analysis, will equip students with the methods
required to formulate and implement public-oriented social policies in all areas
of public life, and equally, look more into the implications of policy choices on
design and implementation of social programmes
Programme Objectives:
This programme aims to provide candidates with advanced training in Social Policy
for sustainable human capital development that could drive evidence-based research
and practice. The objectives are to::
• Deepen the understanding of candidates in the major pillars of
social policy including social protection, public finance, rights-based approaches
and social inclusion, poverty and vulnerability analysis, gender and empowerment;
• Enhance the capacity of candidates to identify social problems
and proffer evidence-informed sustainable solutions to social problems;
• Train the candidates with skills in conducting evidence-based
research in social policies;
• Improve the capacity of candidates to generate qualitative
and quantitative data for social policy; and
• Motivate candidates to integrate the Sustainable Development
Goals and targets in all facets of evidence-informed advocacy for increased
investments in social development.
Career Opportunities:
Candidates that complete the Ph.D programme in Social Policy would be positioned
for career opportunities in national and international governmental and non-governmental
agencies or organizations. They may become renowned academics in the field of public and
social policy, human capital development experts, international aid workers, public
affairs consultants/analysts, social workers, and civil/public servants.
Entry Requirements:
Basic Admission Requirements for Ph.D programme
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Candidates for the Ph.D programme must have an academic Master’s degree in Social
Policy with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 and a Project score not lower than 60%
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Candidates for the Ph.D programme with the required CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 and a
Project score not lower than 60% but without a Master’s degree in Social Policy will be
admitted for M.Sc./Ph.D. The candidate will take relevant M.Sc courses in Social Policy
for one session before seeking firm registration for the Ph.D programme.
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Candidates must demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity, and effective
decision-making and problem-solving potential.
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In addition to the above, the Candidates must have made at least 2nd class honours
lower division with a CPGA of not lower than 2.5 plus the basic requirements in
WASC/GCE O`level for the first degree
Programme Mode and Duration:
The first two semesters of the doctoral programme shall be devoted to coursework and
written examinations, and the remaining sessions to Thesis, seminars, and oral examinations.
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MSc/PhD Programme:
A minimum of eight (8) semesters, and a maximum of twelve (12) semesters
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PhD Programme:
A minimum of six (6) semesters, and a maximum of ten (12) semesters
