Nigeria has called for urgent international action to strengthen the rights of older people, advocating the adoption of a legally binding global instrument to protect elderly citizens from discrimination, neglect, and abuse.
Nijatravel reports that the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, made the appeal during the 2026 session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the rights of older persons held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Speaking at the forum organised under the auspices of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ojukwu emphasised the need for a comprehensive international convention that specifically addresses age-related discrimination and systemic vulnerabilities faced by older persons globally.
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He expressed concern over persistent cases of neglect, violence, and exclusion affecting senior citizens in many societies. According to him, existing legal frameworks remain insufficient in guaranteeing full protection and dignity for the elderly.
Ojukwu further advocated broader national consultations involving National Human Rights Institutions, civil society organisations, older persons, and youth groups to ensure inclusive participation in drafting the proposed instrument. He stressed that the process must move beyond theoretical discussions to concrete steps that will deliver enforceable protections.
The NHRC boss also recommended the appointment of expert drafters or supportive member states to prepare a working text ahead of the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group scheduled for July 2026.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global human rights principles, he urged stakeholders to uphold the ideals of “leave no one behind” and “nothing about us without us” in advancing the rights of older people.
Nigeria’s call signals renewed diplomatic engagement in shaping international standards that safeguard elderly populations amid growing demographic shifts worldwide.
