First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for stronger social security measures and support systems to guarantee healthy, productive and dignified lives for older Nigerians.
Mrs Tinubu made the call in her message marking the 2026 International Day of Older Persons, observed globally on October 1, with the theme, ‘The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.’
She said the occasion should remind society of its collective responsibility to ensure senior citizens are adequately protected and have opportunities to remain active and relevant.
According to the First Lady, older persons are custodians of invaluable wisdom and experience whose contributions to families and communities should continue to be recognised and appreciated.
‘Senior citizens are custodians of invaluable wisdom and experience. They must never be abandoned, ignored, or excluded; rather, they should be supported and given meaningful opportunities to participate in family and community life’, she said.
Mrs Tinubu urged families and communities across the country to continue to value the counsel of older persons and draw lessons from their experiences.
She also stressed the need for systems that would enable senior citizens to age with dignity while retaining meaningful roles within society.
‘I call on families and communities across Nigeria to continue to value their counsel, learn from their experiences, and strengthen the systems that enable them to age with dignity and continued relevance with adequate social security measures put in place’, she said.
The First Lady said longer life expectancy should be matched by policies and social arrangements that guarantee the wellbeing, inclusion, and security of the elderly.
She congratulated senior citizens in Nigeria and across the world on the International Day of Older Persons, reaffirming the importance of giving them the respect, care and opportunities they deserve.