Stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to increase funding for dementia care and establish a national policy to address the growing burden of neurological disorders among Nigeria’s ageing population.

Speaking at a one-day interactive workshop themed “Advancing Brain Health through Partnership: An Interactive Session to Identify Joint Research, Training and Advocacy Priorities,” organised by the International Dementia Academy Africa in partnership with the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, they emphasised the urgent need for structured care pathways, research initiatives, and accessible healthcare for older adults.

Founder of the Brain Health Initiative Nigeria and the Brain Centre Neurocritical and Rehabilitation Centre, Dr Temitope Farombi, said the government has not done enough to address brain health, particularly for adults aged 60 and above.

“Healthcare budgets largely prioritise maternal and child health while neglecting older adults who often face neurological conditions,” he said. “Expanding health insurance coverage to include informal sector workers is critical to ensuring equitable access to care,” Farombi, who is the convener, said.

Director of Dementia Research at the Latin America Consortium, Chile, Prof. Agustin Ibanez, highlighted the need for regional research collaboration. “We must identify region-specific drivers of dementia and explore how these findings can contribute to global scientific knowledge. Integrating studies across Africa, Latin America, and Asia provides unparalleled potential for discovery,” he said.

In his remarks, Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, stressed the importance of collaborative research in tackling dementia.

“Through joint training and partnerships with global experts, young healthcare professionals in Nigeria are gaining first-hand exposure to best practices in dementia care. This knowledge transfer is vital to expanding expertise across Africa,” he said.

Also, Professor of Geriatric Neurology at UCH Ibadan, Rufus Akinyemi, noted the potential of digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) in brain health management. “While overreliance on technology can pose risks, properly harnessed digital tools can enhance learning, accelerate research, and improve brain health screening,” he explained.

Director of the Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Prof. Iracema Leroi, emphasised that much of dementia is preventable. “Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and cognitive stimulation can significantly reduce dementia risk. Prevention begins with awareness and personal responsibility, but access to diagnosis and care must also improve,” she added.

Other experts, including Laz Eze, D. Khanyo, and Kwaku Mamu, called for culturally responsive care models and increased government investment to reduce the growing impact of dementia in Nigeria.