Life of Elderly People after Retirement from Civil Service in Nigeria

This study investigates the living conditions of elderly people in Nigeria who retired from civil service and are expected to rely on pensions and gratuities for sustenance. Drawing on Functional Consequences Theory, which emphasizes the importance of supporting older individuals to maintain wellness and dignity, the research explores the systemic challenges that undermine retirees’ quality of life. Using a qualitative approach, ten in-depth interviews were conducted with retirees in Kano and Katsina States, and the data were analyzed through hermeneutical interpretation. Findings reveal that despite pension reforms introduced in 2004 and updated in 2014, significant discrepancies persist between federal and state pension schemes. Retirees at the state and local government levels remain excluded from the Pension Fund Administrators system, leaving them vulnerable to bureaucratic bottlenecks, corruption, and prolonged delays in accessing benefits. Many pensioners reported enduring untold hardship, including repeated verification exercises, costly travel to pension offices, and prolonged waiting periods before payments are released. These challenges are compounded by the absence of a comprehensive social protection policy in Nigeria, which leaves elderly people without reliable healthcare, housing, or income support. Consequently, retirees often resort to menial businesses, dependence on relatives, or even street begging to survive. The study underscores that retirement, which should represent a period of rest and dignity, instead becomes a stage of economic insecurity and social neglect in Nigeria. It concludes that urgent policy interventions are required to harmonize pension schemes across all tiers of government, strengthen transparency in pension administration, and establish universal social protection measures to safeguard the welfare of elderly citizens.