Stakeholders have called for comprehensive legislative reforms and the establishment of community centres for older persons as part of efforts to tackle elder abuse and neglect in Nigeria. The call was made during an awareness programme organised by the Gabby Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation held at the Church of Ascension, Victoria Island, to mark the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Global Observance Highlights Elder Abuse Challenges
Observed globally on June 15, the commemoration draws attention to the challenges faced by older persons, including physical, psychological, emotional and economic abuse. In an interview with The Guardian, the Administrator of the Gabby Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation, Olatun Gabby Williams, said loneliness and neglect remained major challenges facing many older persons, particularly those living alone or whose children reside abroad.
Foundation's Mission Stemmed from Personal Experience
She said the organisation was established following her family’s experience caring for her father, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for 11 years before he died in 2018. According to her, the experience exposed significant gaps in public and professional knowledge about Alzheimer’s and dementia, prompting the foundation to focus on awareness creation and caregiver education.
Community Centres Proposed as Practical Solution
She supported the proposal for community centres within local government facilities, saying such centres could provide companionship, social engagement, healthcare interventions and other support services for elderly residents. According to her, rehabilitating existing public structures into elder community centres would be a practical way of addressing several challenges confronting older persons across the country.
NHRC Highlights Underreporting of Elder Abuse
In her remarks, the Deputy Director (Legal) at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Yemisi Ahkile, described elder abuse as widespread but largely underreported. She said many cases involved individuals close to the victims, including relatives, children and caregivers, making reporting difficult.
Legal Expert Calls for Stronger Legislation
A human rights lawyer and Managing Partner of Fort Wheat Attorneys, Yemi Owolabi, stressed that addressing elder abuse required a strong legal framework, noting that existing provisions were inadequate. He argued that beyond the National Senior Citizens’ Centre Act, there was a need for robust legislation at both federal and state levels to criminalise the exploitation and abuse of older persons.
He said offenders should face legal consequences, including imprisonment or compensation payments, adding that effective protection could only be achieved through enforceable laws backed by clear implementation mechanisms. While acknowledging concerns about weak enforcement of existing laws in Nigeria, the lawyer said implementation must begin from the law-making process and continue through assent and practical enforcement.
