As Nigeria's population expands and migration patterns shift, the critical demand for trained, professional caregivers has reached unprecedented levels. Industry experts warn that failing to recognize and institutionalize care work as legitimate, productive labor could cost Nigeria one of the world's fastest-growing economic sectors.
The Untapped Potential of Nigeria's Care Economy
Across the nation, thousands of individuals dedicate their lives to caring for elderly citizens, sick patients, and people living with disabilities. Yet despite their essential contributions, care work—particularly paid care services—remains among the least acknowledged sectors in Nigeria's economy.
The International Labour Organisation reveals staggering potential, projecting that the global care services sector could generate approximately 300 million new jobs worldwide. Current statistics show the global care workforce already includes 249 million women and 132 million men, with care recipients expected to reach 2.3 billion by 2030.
Laura Addati, Maternity Protection and Work-Family Specialist at ILO's Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion unit, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen social dialogue and consultation processes. "Care jobs are often low-paid, physically and emotionally demanding, with high workloads carried out under insecure conditions, inadequate training, and poor career prospects," she noted.
Call for National Policy and Regulation
Industry operators are urging the Federal Government to prioritize care services through comprehensive legislation that ensures adherence to standards and regulates provider conduct. They argue that Nigeria must position care at the heart of its economic agenda by formalizing the care economy through national policies, worker protections, and social infrastructure investments.
Dapo Olugbodi, Chief Executive Officer of Arrowshot Care Solutions, highlighted the sector's growth potential. "The care economy is expanding as demand for childcare and elderly care increases across all regions," he stated. Olugbodi emphasized that professionals should adhere to 15 fundamental care standards, given that the industry deals directly with human lives.
Olugbodi stressed the imperative for government intervention, stating that "adequate training and exposure of care providers to global standards were crucial factors to instil public confidence in the industry." He called for proper structural frameworks to protect the sector from unprofessional practices.
Challenges and Opportunities in Care Work
Founder of BLE Caregivers Agency, Admisher Mimo, shared insights into the difficulties of operating a caregiver service. "Despite being fulfilling work, it's equally stressful as most clients tend to look down on the caregiver. They tend to see us as slaves or maids. We are not really treated right as we should," he revealed.
Mimo acknowledged that while the industry shows tremendous potential, it remains emerging without formal national regulation and support. He confirmed that Lagos authorities are taking initial steps through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, which conducts regular inspections of care facilities.
The economic impact of proper care sector investment could be transformative. Mimo explained that "investing in the care sector can boost women's and men's employment, increase Gross Domestic Product, and is essential to overcoming entrenched discrimination against women at work and in society."
Research indicates that unpaid care work, predominantly performed by women who do 76.2% of such labor globally, would represent 13% of global GDP if monetized—equivalent to $11 trillion annually.
Amara Agbim, Founder of The Nanny Academy, emphasized care work's central role in national productivity. "Work-life integration is at the heart of caregiving. Care work is an essential social infrastructure. Without systems like daycare centers and care workshops for nannies and drivers, we cannot have a functional society," she stated.
Adeola Alli of OneHealth highlighted caregivers' invisible yet crucial role, noting that "care is that invisible system that allows women to work. When a woman is supported at home, she works."
The consensus among experts is clear: Nigeria stands at a crossroads where strategic investment in care economy formalization could unlock immense productivity gains, create millions of jobs, and advance gender equality, while ignoring this sector risks exacerbating care crises and missing economic opportunities.
