Former NSCC boss calls for domestication of Senior Citizens Act

The State of Senior Citizens’ Welfare in Nigeria

Nigeria’s elderly population faces numerous challenges, including limited access to formal pension schemes and inadequate healthcare. Recent data indicates that only about 4% of older Nigerians benefit from formal pension coverage, leaving the majority vulnerable to poverty and neglect. This situation is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and changing family dynamics, which have eroded traditional support systems for the elderly.

For decades, Nigeria lacked a comprehensive policy addressing the needs of senior citizens. Families traditionally assumed responsibility for elderly care, but with increasing social and economic pressures, many older persons are left without sufficient support. The absence of formal mechanisms has led to widespread neglect and a decline in the quality of life for many senior citizens.

The welfare challenges faced by older Nigerians are not only economic but also social and health-related. Many seniors suffer from chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, back and neck pain, and mental health issues, yet access to geriatric healthcare remains limited. The cumulative effect of these factors underscores the urgent need for robust policies and frameworks that prioritize the welfare of senior citizens.

Understanding the National Senior Citizens Act and Its Importance

Enacted in 2017, the National Senior Citizens Centre Act represents a landmark legal framework aimed at protecting the rights of older Nigerians. It establishes the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) as a dedicated institution to coordinate programs and policies for the elderly. This Act recognizes older persons as citizens with rights to be heard, included in budgeting processes, and beneficiaries of national development initiatives.

The Act provides a foundation for institutional support and advocacy, aiming to improve income security, healthcare access, and social inclusion for senior citizens. It also encourages state governments to develop complementary policies that reflect the unique needs of their elderly populations. However, the impact of this legislation remains limited without active domestication and implementation at the state level.

By providing a formal structure, the Act aims to move away from the informal and often unreliable family-based care system. It shifts the focus towards government responsibility and accountability, ensuring that older Nigerians receive the dignity and support they deserve. This legal recognition is a vital step in addressing the multidimensional challenges faced by the elderly.

The Call for Domestication: Why State Governments Must Act

Dr. Emem Omokaro has emphasized that while the federal government has laid the groundwork through the National Senior Citizens Act, the full benefits will only be realized if state governments domesticate and implement the Act locally. This approach ensures that policies are tailored to the specific demographics, economic realities, and cultural contexts of each state, particularly rural communities where elderly care is most neglected.

Only a few Nigerian states have so far developed their own state-level policies on aging. Dr. Omokaro noted that before her departure from the NSCC, three states had established policies aligned with the federal framework. These localized efforts have demonstrated greater effectiveness in reaching older persons at the grassroots, thus improving access to social services and welfare programs.

Domestication at the state level also facilitates better resource allocation and administrative coordination. State governments can integrate elderly welfare into their budgets and development plans, ensuring sustained funding and oversight. This decentralized approach empowers states to address gaps in pension coverage, healthcare, and social support systems for their senior citizens.

Nigeria’s Global Ranking on Elderly Well-being: A Wake-Up Call

Nigeria’s position in the 2013 Global AgeWatch Index was alarmingly low, ranking 85th out of 90 countries. The Index assesses the well-being of older persons based on income security, health status, employment, and social connections. Nigeria’s ranking was comparable only to war-torn Afghanistan, highlighting severe deficiencies in protecting and supporting its elderly population.

By 2015, Nigeria’s ranking had slipped further to 86th out of 95 countries, underscoring worsening conditions. In contrast, neighboring Ghana ranked significantly higher, indicating that progress is achievable with committed policy interventions. These rankings reflect systemic issues such as inadequate pension systems, poor healthcare infrastructure, and limited social inclusion for older adults.

The Global AgeWatch Index serves as a critical benchmark for policymakers and advocates. Nigeria’s low ranking should catalyze urgent reforms and renewed focus on aging policies. Improving this status requires coordinated efforts between federal and state governments, civil society, and international partners to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens.

Health Challenges Facing Older Nigerians

Ageing naturally brings a host of health challenges that affect the quality of life and independence of older persons. Common ailments such as osteoarthritis, spondylosis, and chronic pain in the back and neck are prevalent among Nigeria’s elderly population. These conditions often limit mobility and exacerbate social isolation, making access to healthcare critical.

Mental health concerns, including depression and cognitive decline, also pose significant challenges. Unfortunately, geriatric mental health services are scarce, and stigma often prevents older adults from seeking help. This gap in healthcare services contributes to the overall vulnerability of the elderly demographic.

Addressing these health challenges requires comprehensive healthcare strategies that include preventive care, affordable treatment, and specialized geriatric services. The National Policy on Aging, adopted in 2021, acknowledges these needs but requires effective implementation at all government levels to ensure older Nigerians receive appropriate care.

The Role of Advocacy and Awareness: The Quarter Pass 65 Movement

The Quarter Pass 65 podcast, launched to commemorate its first anniversary, has become a vital platform for raising awareness about the experiences and challenges of older Nigerians. Hosted by Dr. Stella Ayamara Dorgu, the initiative highlights issues such as health, social inclusion, financial security, and personal fulfillment among the elderly.

The podcast fosters dialogue between older persons, policymakers, families, and communities, creating a space to share stories and insights. It emphasizes that aging is not merely a challenge but an opportunity for continued contribution and wisdom-sharing. This movement aims to shift societal attitudes towards dignity and respect for senior citizens.

By engaging older adults in conversations about their rights and needs, Quarter Pass 65 helps to amplify their voices in national discourse. The platform also provides practical advice on coping with aging-related challenges, promoting resilience and active participation in society. Such advocacy efforts complement legislative frameworks and encourage broader societal commitment to elderly welfare.

Policy Implementation: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the existence of national frameworks, the implementation of policies related to senior citizens in Nigeria faces significant hurdles. These include limited funding, inadequate institutional capacity, and low political will at state and local government levels. These challenges hinder the translation of legal provisions into tangible benefits for older Nigerians.

Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies further complicate policy execution, often resulting in delayed or misdirected resources. Additionally, awareness gaps among older persons themselves limit their ability to demand their rights and access available services. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts to strengthen governance, transparency, and community engagement.

Nevertheless, opportunities exist to leverage partnerships with civil society organizations, international agencies, and private sector actors to enhance service delivery. Technology can also play a role in improving pension administration and healthcare access. States that have domesticated the Senior Citizens Act provide valuable models for scaling successful interventions nationwide.

The Path Forward: Strengthening Elderly Welfare in Nigeria

For Nigeria to improve the welfare of its senior citizens, a multipronged approach is essential. First, state governments must domesticate and adapt the National Senior Citizens Act to their local contexts, ensuring policies are responsive to the specific needs of their elderly populations. This decentralization will foster more effective resource allocation and service delivery.

Second, there must be increased investment in healthcare infrastructure tailored for older persons, including training healthcare workers in geriatric care and expanding mental health services. Access to affordable and quality healthcare is vital for enhancing the quality of life and reducing the burden of age-related illnesses.

Third, social protection mechanisms such as pension schemes and social safety nets need urgent reform and expansion. Improving pension coverage beyond the current 4% is critical to reducing elderly poverty. Finally, sustained advocacy and public awareness campaigns can transform societal perceptions, encouraging respect, inclusion, and support for older Nigerians.

Conclusion

The welfare of Nigeria’s senior citizens remains a pressing national issue that demands coordinated action across all levels of government and society. While the National Senior Citizens Centre Act and the National Policy on Aging lay a strong foundation, their transformative potential is contingent on effective domestication and implementation by state governments. Addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by older Nigerians—including economic insecurity, health problems, and social exclusion—requires a holistic approach that combines legal frameworks, healthcare improvements, social protection, and advocacy. As Nigeria continues to urbanize and its population ages, prioritizing the rights and well-being of the elderly is not only a moral imperative but also essential for sustainable national development. The call by Dr. Emem Omokaro to domesticate the Senior Citizens Act is therefore a crucial step toward ensuring dignity, inclusion, and quality of life for Nigeria’s aging population.