{
  "id": 9908511,
  "title": "Rising Emigration: Care Crisis Looms for Nigeria’s Ageing Population",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/rising-emigration-care-crisis-looms-for-nigerias-ageing-population",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-26T04:03:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/26/rising-emigration-care-crisis-looms-for-nigerias-ageing-population/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The rising emigration rates in Nigeria are creating a care crisis for the country's ageing population. As more young and economically active Nigerians move abroad in search of better opportunities, families are struggling to find ways to care for their elderly parents. With children scattered across various countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Canada, and others, Nigeria's traditional family-based system of elder care is under increasing pressure. Concerns are growing about who will provide companionship, medical support, daily assistance, and emergency care for ageing parents.\n\nNigeria's National Senior Citizens Centre defines older persons as those aged 60 years and above and has a mandate covering their health, social care, income, security, and dignity. The Centre has recognized the need for caregiver training and standards for geriatric social care. However, the country's reliance on family members for elder care is being challenged by migration, urbanization, changing family structures, and economic realities.\n\nFor 68-year-old Mrs. Amina Yusuf, her children's departure has brought a new reality to old age. While her children send money for her upkeep, she feels that financial support cannot replace physical presence. In emergencies, she relies on neighbours and church members for assistance, but feels helpless during nighttime incidents. Her children offer regular support through video calls, but this cannot fully alleviate her loneliness.\n\nSimilarly, 72-year-old Chalse Ehizogie, a retired soldier with arthritis, relies on his children's financial support and a part-time domestic helper. However, he acknowledges that money cannot immediately address his needs for companionship, attending church, or seeing doctors. The distance makes planning these activities more challenging.\n\nThe scale of migration has significantly increased over the past three decades, with an estimated 2.094 million Nigerians living outside the country in 2024. United Nations data show that the number has risen from 457,000 in 1990 to 1.2 million in 2015. While remittances can help pay for care, the emotional and physical absence of migrant children can reduce daily interaction and hands-on assistance.\n\nGeriatric-care specialist Dr. Tunde Adebayo emphasizes that elder care is multidimensional and that financial provision alone is insufficient. He advises families to develop formal care plans that identify a trusted person close to the older person, their doctor, emergency contacts, medication schedule, and decision-making authority when children cannot be physically present. Communities should also play a greater role by providing trained caregivers, home-based care, community support, and stronger geriatric services.\n\nThe emotional consequences of migration can be significant, with ageing parents experiencing anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A 2025 study found that even when relatives continue to provide financial support, the lack of physical presence can contribute to neglect and reduced quality of life for older people, particularly those with dementia.",
  "summary": "* Experts call for trained caregivers, home-based services, stronger geriatric support •Families urged to build local care networks for ageing parents Sunday Ehigiator As increasing numbers of young and economically",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}