Don deplores lack of support for ageing citizens
A Professor of Social Gerontology, Gender and Development Studies at Lagos State University, Olanrewaju Ajiboye, has deplored the lack of institutional structures required to support older citizens in the country.
- By Christiana Ohimai,
A Professor of Social Gerontology, Gender and Development Studies at Lagos State University, Olanrewaju Ajiboye, has deplored the lack of institutional structures required to support older citizens in the country.
Ajiboye delivered LASU’s inaugural lecture entitled: “That We May Age Gracefully: A Social Gerontologist’s X-ray of Later Life”, on the main campus in Ojo.
He described ageing as a global phenomenon, stressing that developing countries like Nigeria were experiencing the fastest growth, but without the institutional structures required to support older citizens.
While quoting global data, he explained that the number of older persons in developing regions grew significantly between 2000 and 2015 and would continue to increase sharply in the coming years.
Ajiboye said Nigeria currently has over 14.8 million people aged 60 and above, representing about five per cent of the population, a figure expected to surge in the coming decades.
He raised the alarm that about 25 million elderly Nigerians are at a risk of living in poverty by 2050.
The don lamented that the country was unprepared for the fast-growing ageing population.
“By 2050, Nigeria’s population of older persons is projected to rise to about 25 million, yet the majority of them already lack adequate support and face mass poverty.
“Soaring inflation, particularly food inflation, and weak economic growth have eroded the purchasing power of older persons, further exacerbating their vulnerability,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s older population was rising rapidly without corresponding social protection systems, leaving many vulnerable to economic hardship and neglect.
He highlighted poverty, weak social security systems, and the gradual breakdown of the traditional extended family structure as responsible for the worsening conditions of older Nigerians.
Quoting findings from the World Bank, he said over 139 million Nigerians currently live in poverty, with older persons among the most affected groups.
He added that rural elderly populations were disproportionately affected, with poverty rates significantly higher than in urban areas.
According to him many elderly citizens now rely on petty trading or begging for survival following the collapse of family-based support systems and the absence of formal welfare structures.
“Unfortunately, the traditional reliance on extended family support is becoming ineffective, leaving many older individuals with no formal welfare,” he said.
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Ajiboye said despite economic challenges, some families still provide both financial and non-financial support to older relatives, although such assistance is often inadequate.
He urged the government to develop comprehensive social protection policies targeted at older persons.
He warned that the failure of governments to respond promptly to the challenges of population ageing will lead to serious consequences for national development.
The don called on stakeholders, including families, communities, and non-governmental organisations, to play active roles in ensuring the welfare of older persons.
According to him supporting older persons to age gracefully requires a multifaceted approach involving individuals, families, communities, and government.
He stressed need for improved healthcare, social inclusion, and economic support systems to enhance the quality of life of elderly Nigerians.
