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The Federal Government has promised to dialogue with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Pension Transition Directorate (PTAD) and state governments to address pension delays.
The government, through the National Senior Citizens Centre Director-General, Medinat Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, stated this at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja ahead of the 2026 International Day of Older Persons, with the theme: “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.”
She observed that most older persons in Nigeria still queue for hours to access healthcare, wait months for pensions, face loneliness, abuse and ageism, decrying that longevity without dignity is not the goal.
She said: “We are expanding the NSCC Continuing Engagement Bureau, so retired but able senior citizens can mentor, teach and earn. And we are linking indigent older persons to social safety nets.
“A bench at a bus stop, a ramp in a hospital, priority service in a bank – these small things restore dignity. We are calling on all 36 states to domesticate the Senior Citizens Act and create State Councils on Ageing.
“Older persons are not just beneficiaries; they are drivers. As this year’s theme says – they drive local and global action. They are farmers, traders, faith leaders, grandparents raising grandchildren. We must end ageism and promote intergenerational solidarity.
“The Centre also plans to train 5,000 community caregivers and advocate the establishment of geriatric desks in Primary Health Centres across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.”
The Director-General assured senior citizens that their contributions to growth and development of the country would never be forgotten.
She warned the youths against disrespecting and maltreating older persons, as karma would catch up with them.
She claimed that the government was in the know of the sufferings of pensioners, saying to them, “We see you, we hear you, you built this nation, your hands cleared the farms, your wisdom held our families, your taxes built our schools. Nigeria owes you dignity.
“The way we treat our elders today is how Nigeria will treat you tomorrow. Honour them. Listen to them. A society that forgets its elders has lost its memory.
“To our partners – private sector, CSOs, traditional rulers, religious leaders, media – I invite you to partner with NSCC. Let us build a Nigeria that works at 5 years and at 85 years.
“As we celebrate Independence and our elders today, let us remember: A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable – its children and its older persons.”
Akinyemi-Obe claimed that by 2050, the number of Nigerians over 60 would triple, which according to her, is attributed to better healthcare, nutrition and peace.
She said: “Our life expectancy is rising. By 2050, the number of Nigerians over 60 will triple. This is progress – better healthcare, better nutrition, better peace.”
