Abia State Government finalizes senior citizens' welfare policy

The Abia State Government has finalized a review of the draft policy framework for the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre Law No. 4 of 2025. This review took place during a two-day stakeholders' validation workshop in Umuahia, concluding on Tuesday.

The workshop, themed “Stronger Policies, Greater Inclusion, A Brighter Future for Our Senior Citizens,” was organized by the state government in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection. Dr Victor Chima, Social Policy Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund, emphasized the importance of the policy on ageing in relation to the state’s social protection agenda.

Dr Otti Nwaka, Coordinator and Facilitator of the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre, noted that the initiative stemmed from the National Senior Citizens Centre in Abuja. Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, stated that the draft policy aims to protect and promote the welfare of residents aged 60 and above, ensuring they are not neglected.

Abia is one of four states in Nigeria with legal frameworks for the care of older persons.