Rising living costs, poor pensions pushing elderly into hardship – Expert

As Nigeria contends with escalating living expenses, Mr. Olayinka Ajomale, the Executive Director of the Centre on Aging Development and Rights of Older Persons, has lamented the deteriorating living conditions faced by older individuals, many of whom are left to navigate life without pensions, social security, or sufficient healthcare assistance.

Ajomale remarked that the situation is particularly critical for elderly farmers, fishermen, artisans, and others engaged in the informal sector who have never had the benefit of any pension scheme.

"The reality is that there exists a significant number of older individuals who have contributed to the economy over the years, yet in their old age, they lack access to pensions.

"For instance, farmers from rural regions in both the north and south, fishermen from the south-south, and artisans — all of whom are not part of any pension scheme. How do they manage to survive in their old age? Furthermore, there is no social security to support them," he stated.

He also pointed out that the current economic climate has compelled senior citizens to endure food scarcity and struggle to afford essential medications.

The nation is experiencing a severe economic reality that has exacerbated living conditions, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly.

Despite some growth driven by reforms, inflation and the increasing cost of basic necessities have driven approximately 139 million Nigerians into poverty, as reported by the World Bank.

With fundamental needs like food, medication, and housing becoming progressively unaffordable, numerous older citizens now find it challenging to survive on minimal pensions or the generosity of family members.

The expanding poverty divide and diminishing middle class signify a worsening crisis, as "the statistics may appear favorable, but the reality for Nigerians is not."

Furthermore, the geriatric social worker and gerontologist expressed concern that the government’s cash transfer programs have largely failed to benefit the majority of elderly citizens, characterizing them as "irregular and severely inadequate."

He pointed out that corruption and ineffective targeting have left many deserving individuals without assistance, while those who do receive help often find it occurs only once every few months.

He further remarked that for those fortunate enough to obtain pensions, the amounts are "extremely insufficient" given the current costs of food, transportation, and, most critically, medication.

"When you consider the pension amounts in relation to the prevailing costs in society, particularly for food and medication, it is grossly inadequate to satisfy their needs," he stated.

Ajomale observed that many older adults are facing numerous health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and vision impairments, which necessitate ongoing medication. He noted that the cost of diabetes medication has surged from ₦4,000 a few years back to as high as ₦20,000, while pensions have remained unchanged.

The social worker also pointed out that the country’s challenging economic conditions have undermined the financial support system that elderly individuals previously depended on from their children.

"Due to the decline in families' purchasing power, when the income of children or relatives diminishes, it is the elderly who bear the brunt. One cannot prioritize giving their parents a monthly allowance when they have not provided food for their young children at home," he explained.

Ajomale characterized the impact of the economy on the elderly as "devastating," noting that many now rely on erratic family support, while others turn to unconventional medical treatments due to the prohibitive costs and inaccessibility of formal healthcare services.

He also criticized the inadequate inclusion of older individuals in government health initiatives, emphasizing that most healthcare policies predominantly target women and children.

“These health care delivery systems and programs of government take very little cognisance of older persons. You see emphasis on children, pregnant women, youth. We rarely see very strong medical or health provision for older persons,” he said.

Ajomale called for a complete overhaul of the pension and health insurance system to include older persons, especially those who never worked in the formal sector.

He also urged the government to subsidise essential goods and services, improve access to affordable healthcare, and address food insecurity caused by insecurity in farming communities.

The social worker said, “Eye health, nutrition, and access to medication are key to their survival,” recommending that the elderly maintain healthy eating habits such as small, regular meals rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish.

Ajomale asserted, “If we truly value our elderly, we must create a system that allows them to age with dignity, health, and security. The current situation is unsustainable.”