The United Nations International Children’s Fund has announced the appointment of Wafaa Abdelatef as a new Nigeria Country Representative.

Ms Abdelatef’s appointment was contained in a statement on Tuesday. 

The UNICEF Country Representative who has over 20 years of dedicated service in international humanitarian and development work brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Nigeria’s efforts to improve the lives of children and communities across the country.

Abdelatef, prior to her appointment, 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 also held leadership positions at the global level with OCHA in New York and Geneva.

According to the statement, Ms Abdelatef started her professional journey 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, Ms Abdelatef demonstrated strong leadership in advancing the organisation’s mission amid complex humanitarian challenges. 

The statement added that her expertise spans program management, coordination, and strategic planning in both humanitarian and development contexts.

The international organisation expressed confidence in Ms Abdelatef’s extensive experience and uncompromising dedication to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the rights and well-being of every child.