Unseen Struggles: Social Determinants and Structural Inequalities Shaping Elderly Mental Health in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the social determinants and structural inequalities shaping mental health outcomes among Nigeria's aging population, within global and postcolonial contexts. Using an interdisciplinary qualitative approach informed by case studies, the research applies frameworks such as the World Health Organization’s Social Determinants of Health model, structural violence theory, and the life-course perspective to explore how poverty, limited education, housing insecurity, and weak healthcare systems affect mental well-being in old age. The analysis contrasts Nigeria’s situation with global patterns, highlighting disparities in mental health services and policy responses between high-, middle-, and low-income countries. Case studies from rural Northern Nigeria and urban slums in Lagos and Abuja illustrate how gender, geography, and cultural beliefs intensify mental health challenges for older adults—particularly widowed women. The paper critiques the neglect of elderly mental health in national and international policy agendas, drawing attention to colonial legacies, donor-driven programs, and the underrepresentation of African seniors in global mental health research. It concludes with policy and community-level recommendations, including integrating mental health into primary care, strengthening local support systems, and developing national policies that prioritize the dignity and mental well-being of Nigeria’s elderly citizens.