25 Million Elderly Nigerians at Risk of Poverty by 2050

Professor Olanrewaju Ajiboy from Lagos State University has raised an alarm regarding the potential poverty risk facing 25 million elderly Nigerians by 2050. During his inaugural lecture titled "Mai Ag Gracefully," he noted that Nigeria is experiencing the fastest growth in its aging population without the necessary institutional structures to support older citizens.

Currently, there are 14.8 million people aged 60 and above in Nigeria, representing five percent of the population, a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming decade. Ajiboy criticized the country's unpreparedness for this demographic shift, emphasizing that the lack of adequate support systems could lead to mass poverty exacerbated by soaring inflation and weak economic growth.

He pointed out that rural elderly populations are disproportionately affected by poverty, with many relying on petty trade and begging for survival due to the collapse of traditional family support systems. Ajiboy called for urgent government intervention to develop comprehensive social protection policies targeting older persons.