The Federal Executive Council presided over by President Ahmed Tinubu GCON held on Monday October 23, 2023 approved the Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Rights of Older persons.
Nigeria signed the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and on the Rights of Older Persons on February 10th 2020.
By this ratification Nigeria becomes the 13th member-state in the African region to affirm its obligations to strengthening the protection of the rights of older persons through a binding regional legal instrument.
This ratification is in tandem with Nigerian government’s commitment to accelerate inclusion of older persons in its, National Health, Social Development and Economic Security systems and to build age friendly society where its older persons are guaranteed right to dignity, security, participation, independence autonomy and long-term care as well as, access to work, Justice and equity across generations
Nigeria as a member of the Bureau of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing works to support the United Nations General Assembly mandate to determine the best possible mechanism including a new internationally binding instrument on the rights of older persons
With concrete support of a regional instrument which also refers to the region’s desirability to support a United Nations Convention to further strengthen its regional provisions, Nigeria is unequivocal on its support of the UN OEWGA processes and outcome Convention on the rights of older persons.
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) congratulates Nigeria and thanks His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu for considering NSCC’s request and in line with its Eight-point mandate on equity and inclusion, and signed the ratification document.
Omini Oden (ACPA, FCAI)
Head, Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications
