Abuja: Dr Oma Iyoko, Chairperson of Dementia Africa, has urged African governments to make dementia a public health priority, highlighting the condition’s neglect in the health sector. Iyoko made her appeal at the inaugural Dementia Africa Conference 2026 in Abuja, themed ‘The State of Dementia in Africa: Shaping the Future of Dementia Care in Africa.’ She emphasized that unlike other major health conditions, dementia has not received adequate attention and should be a top priority in Africa’s health systems.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Iyoko stressed the need for Africa to move beyond fragmented approaches by developing coordinated systems for dementia care, research, awareness, education, and policy. She identified stigma and misconceptions as significant challenges, noting that some people living with dementia are still accused of witchcraft and face abuse or banishment from their communities. Iyoko questioned why individuals with high blood pressure are not ostracized, yet those with dementia are treated differently.
Iyoko also expressed concern about the lack of reliable country-specific dementia data, as most available information is based on estimates. To address this, Dementia Africa plans to establish an African Data Bank to collate research across the continent, strengthening Africa’s contribution to global dementia discussions. She highlighted the burden on informal caregivers, particularly family members, who often lack adequate training and support. Dementia Africa’s ‘One Africa, One Dementia Network’ aims to enable countries to share knowledge, expertise, and resources rather than operate in isolation.
Earlier, Ambassador Stephen Ben-Joel, Global President of the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, called for increased investment to address challenges facing older persons. He noted that many older individuals, including those without dementia, experience isolation and lack opportunities for meaningful activities. Ben-Joel advocated for purpose-built homes and organized activities to improve their quality of life, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care for seniors.
Prof. Nelson Ochekpe, Grand Patron of Dementia Africa, called for affordable screening tools and local diagnostic capacity to improve dementia detection. He urged African countries to develop culturally and economically appropriate care models instead of adopting systems from developed countries. Ochekpe also advocated for integrating dementia care into primary healthcare and involving community health workers in supporting affected individuals and their families. He highlighted the importance of legal frameworks to protect people living with dementia and encouraged the use of digital health and telemedicine to expand access to specialist care.
Mrs Medinat Akinyemi-Obe, Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), emphasized that dementia is both a health and social challenge requiring stronger collaboration, research, and policy attention. She affirmed the NSCC’s commitment to working with Dementia Africa and other stakeholders to promote early detection, improved care, and caregiver support. Akinyemi-Obe mentioned that the Federal Government is strengthening existing facilities for older persons, prioritizing properly equipped and maintained facilities before establishing new ones.
Dr Obi Adigwe, National Coordinator of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office, emphasized the need for investment in research, innovation, and training to develop sustainable solutions for dementia in Africa. He stated that Africa cannot effectively address its dementia challenges while relying primarily on external knowledge. The conference aims to strengthen awareness, research, policy, education, and care systems for dementia across Africa.