State of the Elderly in Nigeria: Ethical Dimensions

Abstract

Ageing populations present a challenge to all regions of the world. This challenge is, however, greatest in Africa which will experience the fastest rate of population ageing than any other region as projected to be in 2050. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the percentage of people aged 60 years and above is predicted to rise from 6.4 million in 2005 to 25.5 million in 2050. The high growth and rapidly increasing numbers of older persons have significant implications for socioeconomic conditions and the challenge is heightened by the concurrent issues of high levels of poverty and the HIV pandemic, which affects the quality of life of millions of people and particularly impacts upon older people. Promotion of the rights of older people as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other declarations have been adopted in many countries of the world including Nigeria, however, the policy and institutional frameworks for tackling the challenges of the ageing population in Nigeria are weak. The traditional support system and family institutions which have been the backbone of support to the elderly in Nigeria are gradually eroding due to modernization and harsh economic conditions. The older persons are faced with many challenges relating to poverty, economic security, access to affordable health care, violence and abuse and integration into social life. This narrative review of literature explores the magnitude of the problem of ageing in Nigeria, factors affecting the situation of older people, the state of social protective policy implementation in Nigeria and the ethical implications.