As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the United Nations day of Care and Support on October 29, Caring Africa, has called for care infrastructure, investment and support to drive the economy.

Speaking at an event to mark the day, with the theme, #StartwithCare, Founder, Caring Africa, Blessing Adesiyan, urged Africans to elevate the culture of care across homes, workplaces and governance, describing care as the foundation that keeps economies running.

Established to promote care awareness for women, working families and economies, Adesiyan noted that many people often associate care only with hospitals or healthcare. “True care transcended medical support to include emotional, physical and social responsibilities that would sustain families and communities.

“When we talk about care, we must understand it is the quiet neighbour of love that keeps homes together and communities running. It is waking up early, preparing meals and nurturing others often without recognition.”

Adesiyan stressed that unpaid and unseen care contributed significantly to societal stability and productivity but remained undervalued in policy and economic discourse.

“Care makes the economy run. Every morning, a parent or an elderly relative wakes up to prepare a child for school, that invisible labour is what keeps our economy functioning.”

According to her, recognising and rewarding care is crucial for sustainable development.

She however urged policymakers, businesses and communities to prioritise investments that would make care affordable, accessible and dignifying.

She also called for policy reforms that would promote family-friendly workplaces, strengthen community networks and integrate care systems into national development agenda. “Every working mother, every father trying to provide, every teacher or nanny is a quiet hero keeping our societies alive. Care is not sentimental; it is essential,” she said.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Bolaji Ogunlende, in his keynote address, said that care economy must be seen as a pillar of national growth and social progress. “I am not here to simply celebrate care as sentiment. Care is infrastructure. It is the invisible foundation of our economy and the true measure of our humanity.

He said that the Lagos State Government, through its THEMES Plus Agenda, was strengthening social inclusion, gender equality and youth development, while integrating care systems across all ministries and agencies. “These are not just words on paper; we provide direct services for vulnerable people, support families, assist the elderly and offer psychosocial help to those in need,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state managed over 15 homes and institutions, including elderly care centres and correctional facilities, and urged greater collaboration among government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

“Government cannot do it alone. That is why I commend Blessing Adesiyan and the creation of the Creative Care Council. They will help to amplify the care agenda across Africa,” Ogunlende said.

He described care as “the new oil,” urging that its economic value must be harnessed through deliberate policy action, public-private partnerships and grassroots engagement.

“When families lack care and caregivers are undervalued, society pays the price.

“In Lagos alone, the value of care work is estimated at N24 billion potential we can’t afford to waste,” Ogunlende said.

The commissioner added that through initiatives such as Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, the state was addressing disability inclusion, drug abuse prevention and mental health support to strengthen care systems for all.

Chair of the Creative Care Council and Chief Executive Officer of GoodMedia, Toyosi Etim-Effiong, the said the council was established to amplify the voices of caregivers and formalise recognition for unpaid care work. “Our role is to promote and amplify the mandate of care in Nigeria. We want to ensure that care is not just seen as a nice-to have concept but as critical infrastructure entrenched in policy and workplaces.”

Etim-Effiong said the theme of celebration, “Start with Care: Strong Families, Strong Workplaces, Strong Nations’, underscored the need to place care at the heart of national development.

Another Creative Council care member and Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Renner Ayodele said that care is not just a basic infrastructure but should be entrenched in policies and workplaces to make sure that women, men and families get the opportunity to be more productive as a result of provision for care for their loved ones, whether elderly or children.”