By Doris Obinna
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as its new Country Representative.
With a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in international humanitarian and development work, Abdelatef brings deep expertise and leadership to support the organisation’s mission of improving the lives of children and communities across Nigeria.
Before her latest appointment, Abdelatef served as the UNICEF Representative in Somalia, where she led significant advancements in promoting children’s rights and welfare despite operating in a highly complex and challenging environment. Her tenure in Somalia was marked by strategic achievements in both humanitarian response and long-term development initiatives.
Throughout her extensive career, Abdelatef has held key senior roles within the United Nations (UN) system, working with organisations such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF in countries including Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Ethiopia. She has also held influential leadership positions at the global level with OCHA in both New York and Geneva.
A native of Sudan, Abdelatef began her professional journey working with the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organisations on programs related to 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.
UNICEF Nigeria praised Abdelatef’s leadership and dedication during her service in Somalia, highlighting her strong capabilities in programme management, strategic planning, and coordination across humanitarian and development sectors. The organisation expressed confidence that her appointment would strengthen Nigeria’s efforts toward realizing the rights and well-being of every child.
Welcoming her to the country, the United Nations Children’s Fund Nigeria affirmed its commitment to working under her leadership to address the challenges facing children and families and to drive progress for sustainable development.
