The Renewed Hope for the Elderly (RHE) has said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is restructuring the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) to institutionalise comprehensive welfare programmes for millions of elderly Nigerians across the country.
The group said the planned reforms are expected to strengthen social protection for senior citizens through improved pension administration, enhanced retirement welfare, specialised healthcare services and expanded access to age-friendly medical care.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Director-General of RHE, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, described the initiative as one of the Federal Government’s most significant efforts to improve the quality of life of older Nigerians by transforming the NSCC into a stronger institution capable of delivering sustainable welfare programmes nationwide.
He said the Tinubu administration was laying a solid foundation for long-term social protection and welfare for elderly citizens through reforms targeted at strengthening the centre and improving services for older persons.
According to Olaonipekun, the Federal Government has demonstrated a renewed commitment to protecting the interests of senior citizens by introducing policies designed to guarantee their wellbeing and preserve their dignity.
“We acknowledge the growing attention being given to senior citizens under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Through the strengthening of the National Senior Citizens Centre, the Federal Government has demonstrated a renewed commitment to creating policies and programmes that uphold the dignity of older persons.
“We welcome initiatives aimed at improving pension administration, retirement welfare, specialised geriatric care, preventive healthcare and expanded access to age-friendly medical services,” he said.
The National Senior Citizens Centre was established to promote the welfare, care and protection of older persons in Nigeria through policy development, advocacy, healthcare support, social inclusion and other interventions. The Federal Government has in recent years intensified efforts to strengthen social protection programmes for vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, as part of broader initiatives aimed at improving the country’s social welfare system.
