Very worryingly, growing old in Nigeria has changed so much over the last decade or so, to the point that for many growing up has become an ordeal rather than a joy. Your sense of patriotism may of course provoke you to label this statement as profound, even somewhat untrue. However, not only my experience since 2015 as the Chief Executive Officer of a Nigerian-based geriatrics foundation but indeed results of several empirical local and international studies back up this position. Be assured, my intention in this article is not to condemn but to open our eyes to some of the issues surrounding aging in Nigeria with the hope to stir us into action.
A 2014 report by HelpAge International, a UK based charity working for the benefit of the aged around the world, labelled Nigeria as one of the countries where the government does not take care of its senior citizens. Statistics from this report was scathing: one of these is the fact that only 5% of Nigerian population aged 65 and over receive a pension.
You may of course contest that such reports as this one by HelpAge International a foreign entity, is not accurate and argue that the case is not as black and white as they paint it. You may propose that a substantial percentage of the remaining 95% not receiving a pension would not have held pensionable jobs. To counter that thought, I would argue that such an argument is tantamount to burying one’s head in the sand; for if truth be told, everyone reading this article will be aware of at least one or two pensionable aged person(s) not regularly receiving the pension they are entitled to.
An interesting article in titled The Fear of Growing Old: Lessons from Nigeria (2008; Iruonagbe T.C Covenant University, Nigeria) succinctly summarised the issue we are faced with as a country:
“Today, in most developed countries, issues relating to aging and the elderly have continued to command the attention of policy makers. This unfortunately cannot be said for most African Nations
like Nigeria which have to grapple with such crucial problems as inflation rates, unemployment, hunger, poverty, insecurity etc. Yet, the population of the elderly is increasing just as the level of
hopelessness and misery has gotten to its peak.”
Unfortunately, presently in the course of our work in Nigeria a decade later, we find that the above remains true of our situation. Sadly, we remain a country without a coherent or cohesive geriatrics policy; a country that neglects her aged and wilfully denies them their entitlements. We find that the days are long gone when the aged lived in family communities surrounded by loved ones who accorded them great privilege and respect as the custodians of communal wisdom and culture. No longer do family members remain at the beck and call of seniors, eager to please them. The Nigerian society of today has changed so much from when I was a youngster (which was not too long ago) so much so that a large population of our aged now live a somewhat isolated and lonely existence. They are left largely to fend for themselves, dependent on crumbs from well-meaning neighbours. That was never the case!
Consequently, without the means or capability to care for themselves, many of our aged suffer from significant material lack and are deprived of adequate emotional and mental stimulation. This is sadly as true of rural Nigeria as it is in cosmopolitan cities like Lagos. Even parents of middle-class children with means now suffer relative lack; left to their own devices and at the mercy of domestic staff with no experience or interest to engage them. Little surprise therefore that we have a surge in Dementia-induced cognitive impairments amongst our senior citizens.
Credible geriatrics researchers have proven that social interaction and mental stimulation do enhance the wellbeing and health of the aged, whilst isolation diminishes these. There is thus a clear link between happy and healthy social interaction and happy and healthy living; between rapid decline in cognitive function and lack of regular communication with others through social interaction and inclusion.
We now know that social inclusion, a sense of belonging and mental stimulation in the aged reduce the risks of Cardiovascular problems, certain types of Cancer, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia diseases. The list goes on; help with low Blood Pressure and Reduce the risks of Psychological and Mental Health issues including: Depression, Personality Disorders, etc.
On the reverse, social isolation increases the risks of all of the above. it is safe to conclude therefore that our aged who are exposed to isolation are susceptible to the issues listed above. It is indeed a tragedy that we now have an increase in the number of Dementia sufferers which we learn can be delayed by social and mental stimulation. It is even a greater tragedy that rather than receiving the help sufferers of this scourge deserve, their symptoms are generally misdiagnosed by our society as senility or even as things more sinister!
If we say it as it is, every credible geriatric research concludes that social interaction and mental stimulation reduce the risks of early death! I am not exaggerating when I say that in the time that I have held my current role, I have witnessed many OAPs ‘abandoned’ to neglect; unnecessary and preventable death being the sad consequence in some instances. One is thus left to wonder whether there is a correlation between our treatment of our seniors and WHO 2018 life expectancy data which puts Life Expectancy in Nigeria for the male at 54.7 years, the female at 55.7 years; the average at 55.2 years. Sadly, if this data is taken to its logical conclusion, Nigeria as a country will eventually expect no one to live beyond 55 years. What a sad state of affair; for a country without her aged will have no repertoire of her cultural heritage and wisdom and will eventually perish.
Of course, it is not too late to make amends. However, the task calls for a collective effort of all; individuals, communities, governments at every level and Non-Governmental Organisations like ours. It is indeed time we changed our mindset towards the aged and our approach to geriatric care for our collective good as a people. We must move the care of the aged beyond the level of theoretical discourse to the level of practical action. We must all become champions of the aged. At Aanu Foundation, we are striving to do our bit. What about you?
Akin Osuntoki
Chief Executive Officer,
Aanu Foundation
Very well said, unfortunately most of what has been written is true. This now makes me wonder what can be done for alot of Nigerian pensioners who are living in the disposora and that want to return home the reason being they still believe that Nigeria is and still is how they left when many of then come over to study and return home. Many have lived here for years and are stuck in a time zone.
Unfortunately we have seen the health care system decline in Nigeria to a point of being black listed by the WHO as being a nation that does not have enough Nurses and Doctors who are skilled to treat the sick. This is a wake up call for me and think we all need to get involved .
Yes Shade, hurry home:)
We thank God for Aanu foundation and pray that community’s leaders and influential leaders in government and churches complement the mission to support our older generation. After all we are all growing older not younger.
So true, thanks Bro.