After a rigorous three weeks In-Class and eight weeks of supervised fieldwork training and national skills qualification for the award of level 3 Quality Assurance Accessors Certification of the pioneer set of Training Providers in Geriatric Social Care in Nigeria has been completed.
The event commenced with a welcome address by the Director General of the NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro, who lauded the pioneering caregivers for their commitment to professionalizing elderly care. She emphasized the urgency of structured geriatric social care in Nigeria, noting that with a growing population of senior citizens, it is crucial to equip caregivers with the necessary skills to provide quality support.
“This certification is a milestone in ensuring dignity, comfort, and specialized care for older persons in Nigeria. The NSCC remains committed to building a sustainable system that prioritizes the well-being of our senior citizens,” she stated.
In her speech, Dr. Emem Omokaro emphasized that the certification of the pioneer batch of geriatric caregivers is not just a milestone but a transformational step toward recognizing and professionalizing elderly care in Nigeria. She highlighted the critical role of caregivers in ensuring that older persons receive dignified and compassionate support, noting that their services extend beyond basic care to emotional and psychosocial well-being.
“This initiative is about creating a workforce that understands the unique needs of senior citizens. We are not just training caregivers; we are shaping a new generation of professionals who will champion the rights and welfare of older persons in Nigeria,” she stated.
She said that the Certified Accessors are multidisciplinary teams drawn from eight State and Federal University Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centers with Geriatric Units and Private Operators of Care Facilities in Nigeria.
Following the Quality Assurance Accessors Certification, the National Senior Citizens Centre and Skills Nigeria Limited team will commence their Accreditation as National Training Providers in Geriatric Social Care.
Furthermore, she stated that the National Occupational Standards Levels 1-5 is the benchmark with the National Senior Citizens Centre as Awarding Body within the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework regulated by the National Board for Technical Education.
“The National Senior Citizens Centre has now delivered the First set of fully Awarded and Certified Quality Assurance Accessors in Competency-Based Training in Geriatric Social Care”. She said
In collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education/UNESCO Center of Excellence, NSCC Director General’s vision of developing a Skilled Workforce in Geriatric Social Care Sector to meet diverse care needs of older persons is underway.
Additionally, the unprecedented opening of the Geriatric Social Care industry with 8 state and Federal University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centers with Geriatrics Units meeting accreditation requirements to train and certify Care givers to older persons using globally aligned National Occupational Standards (NOS).
Dr. Omokaro further noted that NSCC is delivering on Indicators of Geriatric Social Care Quality Assurance System in Nigeria. Enhancing Training Providers capacity for accreditation.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Shettima Lawan Buba commended the NSCC for its foresight in developing structured training for geriatric caregivers. He stressed the importance of integrating competency-based training into Nigeria’s education system to ensure that caregiving for older persons meets global standards.
“With this initiative, we are not only enhancing care services but also creating new career opportunities in the social care sector,” he said.
He further spoke of the caliber of the Certified Quality Assurance Assesors, which he described as humbling mostly consultants in their field of medical practice; from pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, family medicine, Geriatrics, public health, Dementia care etc.
Also delivering a goodwill message, Olubode Daniel Majuyagbe, Lead External Quality Assurance Manager at Skills Nigeria Limited, Kaduna, highlighted the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in geriatric care.
He emphasized that the caregivers’ training and assessment adhered to internationally recognized best practices, ensuring that certified professionals are well-equipped to serve the elderly with competence and compassion. “Quality assurance is at the heart of this program.
These caregivers are now ambassadors of excellence in geriatric care, and we expect them to uphold the highest standards in their practice,” Majuyagbe noted.
During a pre-event interview with journalists, Dr. Emem Omokaro elaborated on the long-term goals of the geriatric caregiver certification program and how it aligns with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC)’s broader mission to enhance the well-being of older persons in Nigeria. She emphasized that this initiative is part of a strategic roadmap to build a professional, well-regulated, and sustainable elder care sector that meets global standards.
According to her, the ultimate goal is to institutionalize geriatric social care training across the country, ensuring that caregivers are not only properly trained but also recognized as essential contributors to Nigeria’s social welfare system.
Dr. Omokaro explained that the certification program is designed to standardize elderly care services, addressing the current gap in skilled caregivers and reducing reliance on informal, untrained care providers. She stated that by equipping caregivers with specialized knowledge in geriatric care, dementia management, and psychosocial support, the NSCC aims to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens while creating new employment opportunities in the sector.
“This is about professionalizing care, empowering caregivers with the right competencies, and ensuring that older persons receive dignified, quality care tailored to their specific needs,” she said.
Furthermore, she highlighted that the program aligns with the NSCC’s broader mission by ensuring that older persons are not neglected but rather integrated into national policies and development plans. She revealed that NSCC is working closely with key partners, including the Ministry of Health, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Skills Nigeria Limited, and private sector stakeholders, to scale up training and introduce formal accreditation frameworks for caregivers.
“We envision a future where geriatric social care is fully integrated into Nigeria’s social protection and healthcare systems. Our long-term plan is to expand this program nationwide, establish regional training centers, and advocate for policies that guarantee older persons’ rights to quality care and social inclusion,” she stated.
Dr. Omokaro concluded by stressing that the certification is just the beginning, and sustaining this initiative will require continuous policy reforms, funding, and public-private partnerships. She called on government agencies, corporate organizations, and non-profits to support this initiative, ensuring that Nigeria is well-prepared to cater to its growing aging population.
“This is a national responsibility. By investing in structured geriatric care, we are not only supporting today’s older persons but also preparing for the future—because aging is a journey we will all embark on,” she concluded
