Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
UNICEF Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative. This was contained in a statement signed by Anike Alli-Hakeem, Communication Officer, Communication, Advocacy and Partnership, UNICEF, Nigeria. The statement reads: “With over 20 years of dedicated service in international humanitarian and development work, Wafaa brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Nigeria’s efforts to improve the lives of children and communities across the country.
“Prior to this appointment, Wafaa 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 the United Nations, notably with OCHA, UNICEF, and WFP, in diverse settings such as Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Ethiopia. She has also held leadership positions at the global level with OCHA in New York and Geneva.
“Wafaa’s 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. She holds 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.
“In her previous role as UNICEF Somalia representative, Wafaa demonstrated strong leadership in advancing the organisation’s mission amid complex humanitarian challenges. Her expertise spans program management, coordination, and strategic planning in both humanitarian and development contexts.
“UNICEF Nigeria is confident that Wafaa’s extensive experience and uncompromising 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, “it also added.
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