UNICEF Appoints New Country Representative for Nigeria 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

The United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef as the new UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that in a statement released by the Fund on Tuesday, the international body affirms that the new Country Representative brings to bear over 20 years of dedicated service in international humanitarian and development work.

OTN News further reports as gathered that 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 her latest 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. 

Additionally, 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.