Experts Call for Dementia Policy

While Nigeria’s healthcare budget has historically leaned toward maternal and child health, a growing chorus of medical experts is warning that the nation’s aging population is being left behind in a rising tide of neurological disorders.

At a high-level interactive workshop themed “Advancing Brain Health through Partnership, ”hosted by the International Dementia Academy Africa and the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, stakeholders issued an urgent call to the Federal Government: establish a national policy for dementia care and increase funding before the burden on families and the economy becomes unsustainable.

Dr. Temitope Farombi, the convener of the session and founder of the Brain Health Initiative Nigeria, highlighted a stark gap in the current system. He noted that for Nigerians aged 60 and above, brain health is often treated as an afterthought.

“We must expand health insurance to include workers in the informal sector,” Farombi argued, stressing that equitable access to care is the only way to prevent neurological conditions from bankrupting elderly citizens. The consensus at the gathering was that without structured care pathways, the “silver tsunami” of aging-related diseases will overwhelm Nigeria’s already stretched healthcare infrastructure.

The conversation in Ibadan also took on a global dimension, as experts pushed for research that isn’t just imported from the West. Professor Agustin Ibanez of the Latin America Consortium emphasized the need for regional collaboration to identify the specific drivers of dementia within African populations.

By integrating data across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, researchers believe they can unlock discoveries that have remained hidden in more homogenized studies. Locally, this effort is being supported by the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where CMD Professor Jesse Otegbayo noted that joint training with global experts is currently equipping a new generation of Nigerian doctors with the specialized skills needed to manage complex brain disorders.

Modern technology is also being recruited into the fight. Professor Rufus Akinyemi, a specialist in geriatric neurology at UCH, pointed out that while we must be cautious of overreliance, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health tools have the potential to “leapfrog” traditional screening methods.

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These tools could be instrumental in early detection, which is critical since, as Professor Iracema Leroi of Trinity College Dublin noted, much of dementia is actually preventable. She reminded the audience that lifestyle choices—such as controlling blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying physically active are the first lines of defense against cognitive decline.

As the workshop concluded, the message from the diverse panel of experts—including voices from across the continent—was one of collective responsibility.

They emphasized that while individual awareness is necessary, it is the government’s duty to provide the diagnostic tools and investment required to make brain health a reality for all. For the thousands of Nigerian families currently struggling with the emotional and financial toll of dementia, a national policy would be more than just a document; it would be a lifeline.