By Prof. Abiodun Ojo
A Question of Will, Not Resources
Nigeria is at a point where difficult truths can no longer be ignored. The issue is not whether the country has the resources to care for its most vulnerable citizens, but whether there is enough discipline to use those resources properly. Across the federation, revenues have grown through internally generated funds, federal allocations, and natural resources, yet the reality for many elderly Nigerians remains harsh and uncertain.
The real problem is not scarcity, and it has not been for a long time. What continues to hold the system back is waste, and it shows up in ways that are both visible and deeply embedded in how governance is practiced. When resources are poorly managed, even the most basic responsibilities of government begin to suffer.
The Cost of Governance and the Cost to Citizens
For years, public finance has been burdened by excessive recurrent spending, inflated contracts, duplicated agencies, and a style of governance that often prioritizes comfort over responsibility. The cost of running government continues to rise, while sectors that directly affect people’s lives, especially healthcare and social welfare, are left underfunded. In that gap, the elderly are pushed aside, even though they are among those who have given the most to society.
This situation requires more than concern; it demands a deliberate shift in priorities. Leaders at both federal and state levels need to take practical steps to reduce waste and redirect those savings into structured social medical welfare systems for citizens aged 60 and above. The conversation should move from abstract commitments to decisions that produce measurable outcomes in people’s lives.
A Practical Example from Abia State
The recent steps taken in Abia State under Governor Alex Otti offer a useful example of what becomes possible when priorities are clear and execution follows intent. Through a Senior Citizens Welfare Law, the state has introduced monthly stipends, improved access to healthcare, and created a support framework that recognizes the contributions of older citizens. While the programme may still evolve over time, it represents a meaningful departure from the pattern of delay and hesitation that often defines policy implementation.
There are important lessons in this development that other states cannot ignore. The first is that financial capacity is often overstated as a constraint, when in reality the issue is how available resources are allocated. Abia is not the most resource-rich state in the federation, yet it has chosen to act, demonstrating that discipline in spending can create room for impactful social programmes.
From Performance to Service
The second lesson is that governance must be understood as service rather than performance. Infrastructure projects remain important and visible, but the true test of leadership lies in how it treats those who are least able to demand attention. A government that invests in dignity sends a stronger message than one that only invests in optics.
What Needs to Change
If this approach is to be replicated and sustained, a clear policy direction is required across all levels of government. The starting point must be a comprehensive review of public expenditure, with the goal of eliminating non-essential spending and reducing the cost of governance. This includes addressing administrative inefficiencies, tightening procurement processes, and placing reasonable limits on luxury expenditures that do not translate into public value.
Resources freed from these efforts should be channelled into dedicated and protected funds for elderly welfare. Such funds can support regular stipends, subsidized healthcare services, and community-based systems that respond to the everyday needs of older citizens. The key is to ensure that these programmes are structured, transparent, and resistant to political disruption.
Healthcare as a Right, Not a Privilege
Healthcare access must also be treated as a right for citizens above the age of 60, rather than a privilege dependent on personal means. Integrating elderly care into existing health insurance frameworks would help ensure that age-related conditions are treated without pushing individuals into financial hardship. This approach not only improves quality of life but also reduces long-term pressure on families and communities.
Getting the Implementation Right
Effective implementation will depend heavily on reliable data and local coordination. Building accurate registers of elderly citizens, supported by local government structures and appropriate technology, will make it easier to target interventions, reduce fraud, and ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients. Without this foundation, even well-designed policies risk losing credibility.
There is also a clear role for collaboration between federal and state governments. The federal government can provide guiding frameworks, incentives, and support mechanisms, while states retain the flexibility to design programmes that reflect their specific realities. This balance allows for consistency in purpose without forcing uniformity in approach.
The Question of Values
Beyond policy design and implementation, the issue raises a deeper question about the kind of society Nigeria intends to be. A nation that neglects its elderly weakens its own foundation, because it signals that years of contribution can be met with indifference. These are individuals who worked, paid taxes, raised families, and sustained communities over decades.
A system that guarantees dignity in old age sends a different and more powerful message. It tells citizens that their efforts matter and that their country recognizes the value of service and sacrifice. That kind of assurance builds trust across generations and strengthens the social contract in ways that infrastructure alone cannot achieve.
From Conversation to Action
The time for extended debate has passed, and what remains is the responsibility to act. If one state can demonstrate what is possible, others can no longer rely on familiar excuses. Each state may choose its own approach, but the goal should remain consistent and clear across the country.
Leadership will not be judged by the number of projects commissioned, but by the number of lives improved. Cutting waste is a matter of discipline, while caring for the elderly reflects the conscience of a government. When both are taken seriously, governance begins to mean something real to the people it is meant to serve.
Nigeria has the means to make this work, and there is already enough evidence to prove it can be done. What remains is the willingness to make decisions that may not be glamorous, but will leave a lasting impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Prof Ojo is the Provost of the Afe Babalola College of Postgraduate Studies
