AGING WITH DIGNITY: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS IN ENHANCING ELDERLY QUALITY OF LIFE IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria’s rapidly aging population presents a formidable challenge to existing social
welfare architecture, particularly within rapidly urbanizing southwestern cities such as Ibadan, Oyo
State. This study examined the role of social welfare programs in enhancing the quality of life of
elderly persons in Ibadan, with specific attention to health care access, social support structures,
and economic security provisions. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 384
elderly respondents aged 60 years and older, selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling
technique. Four validated instruments were used: the WHOQOL-BREF scale, the Social Support
Survey (SSS), the Economic Security Questionnaire (ESQ), and the Social Welfare Program
Accessibility Scale (SWPAS). Healthcare access significantly predicted quality of life (β = .48, B
= 0.62, p < .001), explaining 41% of variance (R² = .41). Social support showed strong positive
correlations with psychological well-being (r = .53), social relationships (r = .61), and overall
quality of life (r = .59), all p < .001. Economic security was significantly associated with
environmental quality of life (r = .58) and total quality of life (r = .54), p < .001. Quality of life
differed significantly by welfare participation level, F(2,381) = 18.43, p < .001, with means
increasing from low (51.4) to moderate (57.8) to high (65.3), confirming a dose-response effect.
These findings hold critical implications for policy reform, social work intervention, and the
reimagination of elderly care in Nigeria. The study recommends the expansion of the National
Home Care Programme, strengthening of the National Social Investment Programme, and
integration of gerontological social work competencies into professional training curricula.