AJAG Article

Abstract

This paper critically examines health disparities among Nigeria’s ageing population through the lens of the
Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework. It interrogates how economic inequality, gender, education,
and governance structures intersect to shape unequal access to health and social care for older adults. Drawing
on policy analysis and recent scholarly literature, the study reveals that despite Nigeria’s adoption of the
National Policy on Ageing (2018), implementation remains weak, fragmented, and underfunded. The
invisibility of elderly needs within national development agendas and the absence of age-disaggregated health
data perpetuate inequity. Findings highlight that while policy recognition of ageing exists, it is largely
symbolic, failing to translate into structural change. Gendered vulnerabilities, particularly among older women,
persist due to patriarchal norms, limited financial security, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
Furthermore, social protection and health insurance schemes inadequately address elderly needs, leaving many
reliant on out-of-pocket payments. The study argues that these disparities are not accidental but structurally
embedded in Nigeria’s policy and governance systems. Achieving equitable ageing therefore requires a
paradigmatic shift from rhetorical inclusion to evidence-based, equity-driven action. This includes
strengthening institutional accountability, integrating ageing into all stages of development planning,
expanding geriatric healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring gender-responsive policy implementation.
Ultimately, the paper contributes to the discourse on ageing and health equity by exposing the political, social,
and institutional determinants that hinder the realisation of healthy ageing in Nigeria.

Unequal Paths to Ageing: A Policy Analysis of Health Disparities among Nigeria's Elderly Population*, 2025, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 23-36. PDF