Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | The National Assembly Library hosted the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development for a landmark public hearing on House Bill 2098, the proposed legislation that seeks to guarantee the rights and welfare of older persons across Nigeria.
Committee Chairman Hon. Kafilat Ogbara emphasized that this bill is about “dignity, protection, and giving back to senior citizens who have spent their lives building our nation”.
House Bill 2098 creates a clear framework for access to quality healthcare, economic relief, and stronger social and civic protections ensuring older persons remain active, valued, and respected members of society.
-Hon. Kafilat Ogbara
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Bello Kumo, Chief Whip, expressed full support for the bill, noting that traditional family systems are no longer enough, and that older persons now need legally enforceable rights including free medical services in public facilities, certain tax exemptions, monthly stipends, and protection from abuse and abandonment. Also in attendance were lawmakers, civil society groups, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and senior citizens.
Stakeholders also made thoughtful recommendations to strengthen the bill. The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) called for harmonisation with existing laws, while the National Pension Commission (PenCom) welcomed the proposal and suggested important clarifications to ensure sustainability, non-discrimination, and smooth implementation.
This hearing marks an important step toward building a Nigeria where aging is respected, and where every older person can live with dignity, security, and full inclusion.
