25 million elderly Nigerians risk poverty by 2050 — Don

A sobering projection from Professor Olanrewaju Ajiboye of Lagos State University paints a grim picture for Nigeria's elderly population, warning that up to 25 million senior citizens could be living in poverty by 2050. Ajiboye, a specialist in Social Gerontology, Gender and Development Studies, delivered his inaugural lecture highlighting the accelerating pace of population aging in developing nations like Nigeria. Crucially, he points out that this demographic shift is occurring without the necessary institutional frameworks and social safety nets to support older citizens, a stark contrast to the more gradual aging experienced in developed countries.

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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.

The professor's analysis reveals that Nigeria's current elderly population, numbering over 14.8 million (about 5% of the total population), is projected to surge dramatically in the coming decades. This rapid increase is compounded by severe socioeconomic challenges. Ajiboye specifically cited soaring inflation, particularly in food prices, and sluggish economic growth as key factors eroding the purchasing power of older Nigerians, leaving them increasingly vulnerable. The erosion of traditional extended family structures, which historically provided a crucial support system, further exacerbates their plight, leaving many without formal welfare or adequate care.

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Soaring inflation, particularly food inflation, and weak economic growth have eroded the purchasing power of older persons, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

Ajiboye's findings, supported by World Bank data indicating widespread poverty across Nigeria, underscore a critical gap in social protection. He lamented that many elderly individuals are forced into precarious survival strategies like petty trading or begging due to the collapse of family support and the absence of formal welfare structures. The disproportionate impact on rural elderly populations, where poverty rates are higher, adds another layer to this unfolding crisis. From a Nigerian perspective, as reported by The Punch, this issue transcends mere statistics; it speaks to a fundamental societal challenge of ensuring dignity and security for its aging citizens in the face of economic hardship and evolving social dynamics. The lack of preparedness highlighted by the professor is a call to action for policymakers and society at large.

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Ageing in Nigeria is occurring against the background of socioeconomic hardship, widespread poverty, and rapid transformation of the traditional family system that once catered for older persons.