The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen has expressed support for a bill seeking to provide free medical services in government facilities and some tax exemption and stipends for senior citizens across the country.
The Speaker made the pledge while delivering his keynote address at the Public Hearing on a bill seeking to Provide Certain Rights For Older Persons In Nigeria, To Ensure Health And Economic Relief And Protection For Their Social And Civil Rights And For Related Matters, organised by the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
The Speaker noted that many of the social amenities were previously provided by traditional family support systems.
The Speaker underscored the House resolve to provide a formal legal structure that will protect the aged from abuse.
“This Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) bill has become necessary because existing legislations, like the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, have not fully taken care of the peculiar needs of older persons and their rights are constantly abridged by others, from family members to public institutions and the rest of society.
“This bill is therefore an attempt to provide comprehensive protection for the specific rights of older citizens and meet our obligations towards safeguarding their welfare.
The Speaker also highlighted section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which guarantees certain inalienable rights for every Citizen and forbids the discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or race or gender, but it however according to him failed to fails to cover “the peculiar injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.
“The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution also make provisions for the well-being of citizens, but they are not obligations that are justifiable or enforceable.
“In sum, current policy and legal frameworks for the protection of old people are either fragmented or incomplete, and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts. This bill not only hopes to address a wider range of issues, including social and economic challenges, but also to provide a legally binding framework for older people.
“The important thing here is that old people are now to be protected by legally enforceable rights, and they can hope to get restitution from the courts if these rights or entitlements are breached. It is a very progressive bill which seeks to bring the social welfare programme available for old people up to date.
The Speaker also disclosed that the bill “examines the pressures that joblessness, loneliness, neglect, insecurity, poverty, retirement, and health challenges foist on the aged and makes provisions for safeguards and benefits that will enable them to live better. Proposed provisions include free medical services in government facilities, some forms of tax exemption, stipends, and protection against abandonment. Many of these were previously covered by traditional family support systems, but as those weaken, we must provide a formal legal structure that will protect the aged from abuse,”
On her part, the Chairman, House Committee on Women and Social Development, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara explained that, “The provisions of this bill reflect our collective responsibility to ensure that our older population receives the dignity, respect, and support they deserve. I call it – Society giving back.
“As we know, older persons often face unique challenges that can affect their health, economic stability, and social engagement. This legislation aims to address these issues head-on by establishing a framework that guarantees their rights and protections.
“House Bill 2098 seeks to ensure health and economic relief for older persons, recognizing that access to quality healthcare and financial security are fundamental human rights. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting their social and civic rights, allowing them to participate fully in society and contribute their wisdom and experience.”
National Senior Citizens Centre Act
In his presentation, the National Coordinator/CEO of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Mr. Badamasi Lawal who was represented by Dr. Nsikak Okon urged that the Older Persons bill, 2025 under consideration be harmonized with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018 for ease of operationability in supporting Older Persons in Nigeria.
A representative of the National Pension Commission (NPC) Barrister Martins Ikagu described the proposed legislation as a positive development which would further strengthen and expand the legal framework on social security in Nigeria.
He recommended a review of the provision to bring it in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by making it nondiscriminatory and all-embracing.