The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced the appointment of Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as its new Country Representative in Nigeria.
The announcement was made through a statement issued by Susan Akila, UNICEF Nigeria’s Communication and Advocacy Specialist, who described Abdelatef as a seasoned development professional with more than 20 years of experience in both humanitarian and development sectors.
Abdelatef brings a wealth of leadership and technical expertise to UNICEF’s mission in Nigeria, where the organisation continues its work to improve the lives of children and their communities across the country.
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Before her new role in Nigeria, she served as UNICEF Country Representative in Somalia, where she oversaw critical efforts to advance child rights and welfare in a complex humanitarian setting.
Her career with the United Nations spans senior positions across multiple agencies, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP), with assignments in countries such as Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, and Ethiopia.
She has also held strategic leadership roles at the global level with OCHA in both New York and Geneva.
Abdelatef began her professional journey in Sudan, working with the private sector, academic institutions, and non-governmental organisations on issues related to displaced populations and environmental sustainability.
She holds a master’s degree in Architecture from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), a Master of Science in Physical Planning from the University of Khartoum, and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
UNICEF Nigeria expressed strong confidence in Abdelatef’s ability to steer its operations in the country, citing her solid background in program management, coordination, and strategic planning across both development and humanitarian contexts.
Image Credit: Abc News Nigeria
