The Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Rights of Older Persons was approved by the Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON, on Monday, October 23, 2023.
With this ratification, Nigeria becomes the 13th member-state in the African region to affirm its commitment to strengthening the protection of the rights of older persons through a binding regional legal instrument.
The ratification aligns with the Nigerian government’s dedication to accelerating the inclusion of older persons in the National Health, Social Development, and Economic Security systems. The aim is to create an age-friendly society where older persons are guaranteed dignity, security, participation, independence, autonomy, 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, supports the United Nations General Assembly’s mandate to determine the best possible mechanism, including a new internationally binding instrument, regarding the rights of older persons.
By supporting a regional instrument that also advocates for a United Nations Convention to further strengthen its provisions, Nigeria is clearly expressing its support for the UN OEWGA processes and the outcome Convention on the rights of older persons.
NARP50PLUS thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu, for signing the ratification document.
A huge step in the right direction for the older persons.
