Abstract

The challenge facing the elderly in Nigeria is one that has been very persistent. One notable variable that has been used in describing the elderly is that of persistent and excruciating levels of poverty. Nigeria has often been described as a rich nation inhabited by poor people, to which the majority of the aged belong. Indeed, the poverty situation of the elderly, whether in relative or absolute terms, is quite disturbing. The inability of government to cope with the regular payment of pensions to the retired workforce, the inadequate social services and health facilities to cater for the needs of an ageing population, as well as a predominantly rural agrarian population all pose new threats to food security, social security and national security of Nigeria. Older people's lives are characterized by growing inadequacies in customary family supports, social exclusion and non-existent social security targeted at them, thus being very vulnerable to poverty and diseases. This paper therefore takes an exploratory look at the debilitating situation of the interplay between poverty and old age and tries to proffer solutions that will act as suitable intervention strategies towards amelioration the poverty situation of the elderly, majority of whom live like beggars' in the cities and various rural settlements