Adejoh Bilkisu
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In a significant development, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed concerns over the inadequate funding of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), noting its limited budget allocation of N450 million for 2024.
Despite the financial constraints, Abbas lauded the NSCC’s achievements in its first three years of operation, recognizing its critical role in addressing the needs of Nigeria’s aging population.
Speaking during a meeting with the NSCC’s Director General, Dr. Emem Omokaro, and her team at his office, Rt. Hon. Abbas acknowledged the center’s progress and promised increased legislative support to ensure the actualization of its mandate.
He emphasized the need for improved funding in the 2025 budget to enable the NSCC to provide essential services to senior citizens across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Abbas highlighted the unique position of the NSCC as the sole government agency focused on aging issues and pledged the House’s commitment to bolstering its capacity.
He assured Dr. Omokaro of future collaborations aimed at enhancing pension governance, healthcare delivery for seniors, and creating age-friendly environments nationwide.
The Speaker mentioned plans to establish NSCC offices in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Dr. Omokaro, in her remarks, expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for passing the National Senior Citizens Centre Act in 2017, which she described as a landmark shift in the inclusion of older persons in Nigeria’s national development agenda.
However, she raised concerns about the persistent underfunding of the center, urging the House to champion the National Plan of Action on Aging and ensure that ministries and government agencies prioritize projects directly benefiting older citizens.
The Director General further advocated for the establishment of a regulatory framework for the geriatric social care sector.
She also called for the training and certification of at least 250 caregivers in each state, noting the current reliance on unskilled workers in senior care.
With the House of Representatives pledging to address these challenges, the partnership between the legislature and the NSCC could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to improve the well-being of its aging populati
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