Sociological Perspectives on Aging and Social Exclusion in Adamawa State

Older persons in Nigeria face a paradoxical social position: culturally revered as repositories of wisdom, yet practically marginalized from economic participation and state social protection in the context of weakening extended family systems. This study examines aging and social exclusion among elderly persons in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria. A qualitative design was adopted, employing twenty-five in-depth interviews with persons aged 65 and above across Yola North, Numan, and Ganye local government areas, supplemented by five interviews with social welfare officials. The Disengagement Theory and Activity Theory were critically applied and compared. Findings reveal that 71% of elderly respondents had no access to any formal social security income, relying exclusively on family transfers that were increasingly irregular as children relocated to urban areas. Health-related exclusion was pronounced, with 64% reporting inability to afford consistent medication or hospital consultations. Social exclusion manifested through declining participation in community decision-making, perceived disrespect from younger generations, and reduced attendance at community events due to mobility limitations. Widowed elderly women experienced compounded exclusion combining gender, age, and economic vulnerability. Elderly persons in rural areas with intact extended family structures reported significantly better social inclusion than urban elderly. The Activity Theory's prediction that sustained activity promotes wellbeing was supported for elderly persons with ongoing income-generating roles. Recommendations include a state-level social pension scheme for the elderly in Adamawa, community health worker programs targeting elderly populations, and intergenerational community programs designed to maintain older persons' social roles. Keywords: aging, social exclusion, Adamawa State, elderly, social security.