Abuja: The National Institute of Caregivers (NIC) has unveiled a national initiative aimed at strengthening professional caregiving in the country. The Director-General of the institute, Mr. Olusan Victor, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, welcoming the Federal Government’s growing focus on Nigeria’s care economy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the institute’s announcement comes at a significant moment for Nigeria’s social-development agenda. In February 2026, President Bola Tinubu declared the year as the ‘Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria.’ He directed coordinated action across all levels of government, placing families, women, and social development at the center of national development. In May, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also prioritized the care economy during the 2026 National Caregivers Summit in Abuja.
The Federal Government announced plans for nationwide training and certification initiatives in childcare, geriatric care, special-needs support, and community caregiving services. It highlighted the growing need for sustainable caregiving structures as Nigeria’s population and social needs evolve.
Victor stated that the NIC aims to contribute to this emerging national agenda by integrating professional education, competency development, care standards, research, public awareness, and stakeholder engagement. The NIC supports the Federal Government’s recognition of the care economy as a crucial component of national development, emphasizing the need for professional infrastructure in the caregiving sector.
Professionalising caregiving extends beyond training individuals; it encompasses standards, ethical practice, practical experience, and continuing professional development. It also involves safeguarding, quality assurance, accountability, and systems that instill confidence among families and care recipients. The NIC will focus on professional caregiver development, care standards and quality, research, advocacy and policy, public awareness, and stakeholder engagement.
The Director-General stressed that developing a professional caregiving sector impacts employment and skills development, supports families, creates opportunities for women and young people, and enhances support for older persons and vulnerable populations. This initiative aims to reinforce the social infrastructure essential for productive communities.
The NIC underscores that the Federal Government’s agenda should be supported by coordinated action across government, education, healthcare, the private sector, civil society, and professional organizations. The government plays a crucial role in policy and institutional development, while educational institutions contribute knowledge and workforce development, and healthcare providers offer practical experience. The private sector and development partners can provide investment, innovation, and scale, while professional institutions contribute standards, training, and technical expertise.
The NIC intends to be an integral part of this national ecosystem, working collaboratively to build a robust care economy in Nigeria.