Senate, Reps Push for Stronger Protections for Nigeria’s Elderly as Implementation Gaps Persist

Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives have renewed efforts to strengthen legal and social protections for elderly citizens, amid growing concerns that existing laws and policies have failed to translate into meaningful welfare support on the ground.

Lawmakers in both chambers say the renewed push is driven by the increasing vulnerability of older Nigerians, many of whom face poverty, neglect, abuse and limited access to healthcare as traditional family support systems weaken under economic pressure and urbanisation. At the centre of the legislative drive is a proposed Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) Bill currently being considered by the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to expand the rights of senior citizens by guaranteeing access to free or subsidised healthcare in public hospitals, social welfare support, protection from abandonment and abuse, and special considerations in taxation and public services. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has stressed that ageing Nigerians deserve more than moral appeals and policy promises, calling for a “clear, enforceable legal framework” that protects their dignity and wellbeing. He noted that while respect for elders is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, economic realities have eroded informal support systems that once sustained older people. The Senate has also revisited similar proposals in recent sessions, with lawmakers acknowledging that Nigeria’s social protection framework remains weak when compared to the country’s demographic realities. Estimates suggest that millions of Nigerians are aged 60 and above, many without pensions, stable income or access to regular healthcare. However, despite repeated legislative initiatives, implementation gaps continue to undermine progress. Nigeria already has the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Act of 2018, which established the NSCC to coordinate programmes and policies for older persons. In addition, the National Policy on Ageing, approved in 2020, outlines government priorities on healthcare, social inclusion and protection for the elderly. Critics argue that these frameworks remain largely ineffective due to poor funding, limited institutional capacity and the absence of legally enforceable entitlements such as universal social security or guaranteed income support. Advocacy groups note that the NSCC Act, while important, does not provide direct cash transfers or nationwide guarantees of services. Past legislative efforts have also struggled to gain traction. A proposed Social Security Bill introduced as far back as 2012 stalled in the National Assembly, while a 2022 bill seeking to establish a National Social Security Commission failed to secure full legislative approval. In several cases, bills passed by one chamber did not receive concurrence from the other or presidential assent. Experts attribute these failures to bureaucratic bottlenecks, overlapping mandates among government agencies and persistent budgetary constraints. Even where laws exist, enforcement remains weak, leaving many elderly Nigerians without tangible benefits. Some government agencies have welcomed the renewed legislative attention. The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) has called for better coordination between any new law and existing institutions like the NSCC to avoid duplication and ensure effective delivery. The National Pension Commission has also expressed support for stronger elderly protection laws, noting their potential to complement pension reforms and broader social security efforts. At the sub-national level, authorities such as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have pledged to step up efforts to protect older residents from abuse and neglect, though similar commitments are uneven across states. As the bills progress through the National Assembly, analysts say the real test will be whether lawmakers can move beyond legislation to sustained funding, institutional strengthening and coordinated implementation across federal, state and local governments. For millions of elderly Nigerians, the outcome of this renewed push could determine whether long-standing promises of dignity and care in old age finally become a reality or remain, once again, trapped on paper.