Experts in Nigeria’s care sector have called for a national framework to formalise and professionalise care work, describing it as the foundation of both the economy and society.
This call was made at a media roundtable organised by Global Health Strategies (GHS) on “Centering Care: Unlocking Women’s Economic Power in Nigeria,” held in commemoration of the International Day of Care and Support, marked annually on October 29.
The discussion focused on recognising care work, both paid and unpaid, as critical economic infrastructure. Participants highlighted the poor working conditions faced by caregivers and the need for deliberate investment in care systems to support women and boost economic growth.
GHS, a communication and advocacy agency with global operations, convened the dialogue to raise awareness of the economic importance of care and to encourage policies that protect workers and promote gender-inclusive development.
Experts agreed that Nigeria must place care at the centre of its economic agenda. They said this would require government-led policies to formalise care work, establish fair labour standards, and invest in social infrastructure. Such actions, they argued, could unlock significant productivity gains and enhance gender equality.
Founder of That Good Media, Toyosi Etim-Effiong, described care as “the unseen backbone of both families and the economy.” She said, “Care is the foundation of our society; a lot of us have taken care of grandparents, kids, and in Nigeria, some people bring others from the village. This work is underlaid, undervalued, and underappreciated. Caregivers are a strong support system. There is dignity in labour, and our caregivers are not second-class citizens.”
She added that valuing care work would not only uplift women but also strengthen the social structures that sustain national growth.
According to the World Bank Gender Data Portal, Nigerian women spend up to five times more hours on unpaid care work than men do daily. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 708 million women globally are excluded from the labour market due to unpaid care responsibilities. The Fraym ROI Study also notes that Nigeria lacks a national framework for public childcare, leaving caregiving largely informal and family-based.
Adeola Alli, founder of OneHealth, explained that the care economy supports productivity by enabling women to work. “Caregivers are invisible but sustain our families and our economy,” she said. “When a woman is supported at home, she works,” Alli added that the global care economy could contribute $11 trillion annually to global GDP if properly valued.
Amara Agbim, founder of The Nanny Academy, said care work is central to national productivity and called for structured systems such as daycare centres and training workshops. “If unpaid care were monetised, it would represent nine to 13 per cent of global GDP,” she said. Agbim called for fair pay, safe working conditions, and protection from exploitation.
International lawyer and global affairs expert Crystal Ikanih-Musa urged the creation of a national legal framework for care work. “There should be a push for a comprehensive care policy at the national level, as we have some at the state level,” she said. “When you don’t recognise care work, you don’t recognise women and the work they do.”
She added that limited policy coverage for aged people and domestic workers leaves many vulnerable. “When we face critical times such as conflict or health crises, the need for care increases,” she said.
The experts agreed that building a care-centred economy through coordinated policies, investments, and partnerships would improve livelihoods, empower women, and strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic resilience.
