Call for investment in care systems to empower women
Thought women leaders and experts in the care system have called for a national framework to recognise and professionalise caregiving, describing it as the foundation of society and the economy.

The call was made during a media roundtable to mark the International Day of Care and Support, which is held every October 29.

The theme is “Unlocking Women’s Economic Power in Nigeria,” where the experts emphasised that care work, which includes both paid and unpaid, remains one of the most undervalued sectors in the country.

The roundtable was to raise awareness and spark conversation on the need to recognise care as critical economic infrastructure, the poor working conditions of caregivers in Nigeria, and how investing in care systems can empower women and drive the country’s economic 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) further estimates that 708 million women globally are excluded from the labour market due to unpaid care responsibilities.

Yet, as the Fraym ROI Study highlights, Nigeria lacks a national framework for public childcare, leaving caregiving largely as an informal, family-based burden.

Key discussions include women’s dominance in the caregiving sector and how the lack of formal structure disproportionately affects their economic opportunities and well-being.

The poor and often unregulated working conditions faced by care workers, including low pay, job insecurity, and limited legal protections, were highlighted.

The experts noted that Nigeria must centre care in its economic agenda by formalising the care economy through national policies, protection for workers, and investments in social infrastructure, which could unlock immense productivity and gender equality gains.

Founder, That Good Media, Toyosi Etim-Effiong, described care as the unseen backbone of both families and the economy, noting: “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.”

Founder, The Nanny Academy, Amara Agbim, said care work is central to national productivity.

“Work-life integration is at the heart of caregiving. Care work is an essential social infrastructure. Without systems like daycare centres and care workshops for nannies and drivers, we cannot have a functional society.

“If unpaid care were monetised, it would represent nine to 13 per cent of global GDP,” she stated.

Founder of OneHealth, Adeola Alli, said caregivers are invisible but sustain families and the economy.

“Care is that invisible system that allows women to work. When a woman is supported at home, she works,” the expert added.

She disclosed that the global care economy could add $11 trillion yearly to global GDP if properly valued.

On her part, lawyer and global affairs expert, Crystal Ikanih-Musa, emphasised the need for strong legal and policy frameworks to formalise and protect 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 added.