NSCC and CAARS Join Forces to Promote Healthy Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria

Adejoh Bilkisu

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), continues it week long celebration of national day of older persons with today marking the fourth day, held a national symposium.

NSCC in collaboration with the Centre for African American Research Studies (CAARS), initiated the symposium to address key issues surrounding healthy ageing, social protection, and the rights of older persons, with a focus on mainstreaming this demographic into Nigeria’s social safety nets.

The symposium, which is designed to travel from state to state, highlights the importance of ensuring that older persons receive adequate protection and care as they age.

The Director-General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro, underscored the significance of the partnership with CAARS, noting that research plays a central role in the NSCC’s operations.

“The NSCC was born out of research, and our programs are rooted in data and statistics that drive policy decisions. Research informs the solutions we create and ensures that we are effectively addressing the needs of older citizens,” said Dr. Omokaro.

She emphasized the role of research in combating the negative stereotypes and discrimination often faced by older persons. “The prejudices and misperceptions about older people largely come from a lack of accurate information. Research not only helps us to understand these issues but also equips us with the tools to change the narrative around ageing,” she explained.

Dr. Omokaro highlighted how NSCC’s partnership with the National Directorate of Employment has been instrumental in conducting needs assessments for older persons across various communities.

“Through our research, we’ve discovered that older persons remain essential to the fabric of many communities. They are the backbone of support systems, and it’s crucial that we address their needs effectively.”

She further disclosed that NSCC is actively working to establish senior citizen centers in different regions, but stressed that a one-size-fits-all approach would not work. “Each community has its own unique cultural needs, and research allows us to tailor our programs accordingly,” she added.

With the national symposium and other activities rolling out across the country, the NSCC and CAARS hope to spark a nationwide conversation on the importance of protecting the rights of older persons. The event is expected to influence policy reforms that will better integrate the ageing population into Nigeria’s social protection framework.

Also speaking, the President of the African University of Science and Technology, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, represented by Dr. Bosco Okolo-Obi, Assistant Director of the Centre for Pan African and Peace Studies, emphasized the vital role of research in promoting healthy ageing.

He noted the challenges older persons face, especially after retirement, and called for greater inclusivity.

“Healthy ageing is the overall goal of this program. In today’s society, older persons are often excluded from many opportunities, such as retirement after 35 years of service. What happens when you retire?” he remarked, highlighting the vast knowledge and experience older individuals possess, which could be invaluable to younger generations.

He stressed that, despite this, older persons are frequently isolated from social interactions and meaningful opportunities.

Dr. Okolo-Obi further explained that the university is committed to building capacity through knowledge transfer and mentorship.

He added that the institution is exploring collaborations with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) to ensure that retirees can serve as resource persons, contributing to training, mentorship, and the transfer of knowledge even after leaving the formal workforce.