Gender and Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Older Persons in Nigeria

National and international organizations continue to express concerns on older persons worldwide, and have suggested measures for improving their lives and overall well-being within the framework of sustainable development. Citizenship cannot be assumed to have the same significance for the young and old. A common experience is that of disentitlements of the older persons regarding their persons and other rights. Theoretically, older persons are not a homogenous group. It has been observed that the gender of the individual affects access and opportunities to the available old age security system. This study focuses on the differentials in the situations and capabilities of older persons in Lagos State rather than viewing them as a homogeneous group. Gender is particularly believed to be implicated in the varying experiences of older persons. Inequalities experienced in earlier life, for example in access to education, employment, and health care, as well as those based on gender which have a critical bearing on status and well being in old age were critically examined.