UNICEF Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as its new Country Representative, bringing over two decades of international humanitarian and development experience to lead the organisation’s efforts in advancing children’s rights across Nigeria.
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Prior to her appointment, Abdelatef served as the UNICEF Representative in Somalia, where she achieved significant successes in advancing children’s rights and well-being within a complex and challenging environment. Her extensive career includes senior roles with major United Nations agencies, most notably with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP), across diverse settings including Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Ethiopia.
Abdelatef has also held leadership positions at the global level with OCHA in New York and Geneva. Her professional journey began in Sudan, where she worked with the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organisations on initiatives focused on displaced populations and environmental conservation.
In her previous role as UNICEF Somalia Representative, Abdelatef demonstrated strong leadership in advancing the organisation’s mission amid complex humanitarian challenges. UNICEF Nigeria expressed confidence that her extensive experience and dedication will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the rights and well-being of every child.
“We warmly welcome her to the country and look forward to her leadership in this vital mission,” the Communication Specialist for UNICEF Nigeria, Susan Akila, said in a statement announcing the appointment.
The new country representative holds impressive academic credentials, including a Master of Architecture from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, a Master of Science in Physical Planning from the University of Khartoum, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Her expertise spans programme management, coordination, and strategic planning in both humanitarian and development contexts.
Featured image: UNICEF Nigeria/Fashina
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