NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER ACT
Act · Health
An Act establishes the National Senior Citizens Centre to promote the welfare and inclusion of older persons in Nigeria. It targets senior citizens aged 60 and above, along with government agencies and communities for support services. The act aims to enhance dignity and independence for the elderly.
What Is This Policy?
The Act establishes the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) as Nigeria’s first distinct corporate body dedicated to the welfare, inclusion, and empowerment of senior citizens. It provides a legal framework for programs that enhance dignity, independence, and security for older persons.
Who Does It Target?
The Act is directed at senior citizens (aged 60 and above), ensuring their social inclusion, access to healthcare, and opportunities for continued productivity. It also targets government agencies, NGOs, and communities, mandating them to collaborate in providing services. Families and caregivers are indirect beneficiaries, as the Act promotes support systems that ease their responsibilities.
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
The central objective is to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of senior citizens. It seeks to integrate older persons into national development, provide healthcare and social programs, and protect them from neglect or abuse.
Key Features
Establishment of NSCC as a statutory body. Governing Board to oversee policy implementation. Programs for healthcare, education, recreation, and counseling. Capacity-building and training opportunities for senior citizens. Integration of older persons into productive activities and work schemes.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: active Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: Millions of Nigerians aged 60+ Funding: Federal budget allocations, donor support, and partnerships with NGOs
How to Access
Full text available via: Center for Laws of Nigeria (premium download). Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) archives.
Important Terms
Term 1- Senior Citizens Defined in the Act as Nigerians aged 60 years and above, this group represents a growing demographic due to increased life expectancy. The term is not just descriptive, it signals a legal recognition of older persons as a distinct category requiring tailored policies, programs, and protections. It shifts the narrative from viewing ageing as dependency to seeing senior citizens as contributors to national development. Term 2- Social Inclusion This principle ensures that older persons are not marginalized but actively integrated into community life and national development. In practice, it means creating opportunities for seniors to participate in decision-making, cultural activities, and economic programs. The Act embeds social inclusion to combat isolation, discrimination, and neglect, which are common challenges faced by the elderly.
Official Resources
National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC): https://nscc.gov.ng Headquarters: Guzape District, Abuja. Email: [email protected] Phone: +234-809-189-9999 Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development: https://fmhds.gov.ng Link to document - Link to document
Legal Framework
The National Senior Citizens Centre Act establishes NSCC under statute. It operates alongside the National Policy on Ageing, the Employees Compensation Act 2010, the Pension Reform Act 2014, and the National Health Act 2014. The constitutional basis is Section 16(2)(d) of the 1999 Constitution (duty of the State to provide social security) and Nigeria's obligations under the African Union Policy Framework on Ageing and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.