25 Million Elderly Nigerians Face Poverty by 2050, Expert Warns

Olanrewaju Ajiboy, a professor of social gerontology at Lagos State University, has raised an alarm regarding the future of elderly Nigerians, stating that 25 million individuals will risk poverty by 2050. During his inaugural lecture titled "Mai Ag Gracefully," he emphasized that while aging is a global phenomenon, Nigeria is experiencing the fastest growth in its elderly population without the necessary institutional structures to support them.

Currently, there are 14.8 million Nigerians aged 60 and above, representing 5% of the population, a figure expected to surge in the coming decade. Ajiboy noted that the lack of adequate support systems, exacerbated by soaring inflation and weak economic growth, leaves older citizens vulnerable to poverty.

He cited World Bank data indicating that 139 million Nigerians currently live in poverty, with rural elderly populations disproportionately affected. Ajiboy called for urgent government intervention to develop comprehensive social protection policies targeting older persons, stressing the need for a multifaceted approach involving families, communities, and non-governmental organizations to ensure their welfare.