CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The house that once echoed with homework, arguments, Sunday rice, and birthday music is now quiet. For a growing number of Nigerian parents in 2026, success looks like an empty dining table.
As more young adults relocate for school, work, and better opportunities abroad, parents are left behind to manage homes built for many, by themselves. The situation is more difficult for single mothers and fathers who raised children alone and now face aging with little day-to-day support.
Mrs. Grace Okafor, 62, a retired teacher in Benin City, raised three children as a single parent after losing her husband. Today, all three live in Canada and the UK.
“The house is too big now,” she said. “I cook and half the food gets wasted. On Sundays, I set the table and realize I am the only one eating. We talk on video calls, but it is not the same as having them here.”
Her story is common. According to the National Population Commission 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 1 in 5 Nigerian households are headed by a single parent, with women making up the majority. Many of these parents dedicated their prime years to caregiving.
With rising migration, the gap is widening. Data from the International Organization for Migration, IOM 2024 report shows that over 3.6 million Nigerians emigrated between 2019 and 2024, with the UK, Canada, and the US as top destinations. Many of them are children of parents aged 50 and above.
Experts say “empty nest syndrome” is increasing in Nigeria, though it is rarely discussed openly. Common signs include sadness, loss of purpose, trouble sleeping, and withdrawing from social activities.
“Parents, especially single ones, tie their identity to caregiving,” says Dr. Nkechi Eze, a Lagos-based psychologist. “When that role ends, they feel a void. There is also anxiety about who will provide care in old age.”
The World Health Organization 2023 report on Ageing and Health notes that social isolation increases the risk of depression, heart disease, and early death among older adults. In Nigeria, limited eldercare facilities and high cost of healthcare make family support even more critical.
The National Senior Citizens Centre 2023 report also highlighted that thousands of elderly Nigerians live alone without regular family contact, with urban areas like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt recording the highest cases.
Despite the challenges, many parents are adapting. Church groups, community associations, and NGOs are creating spaces for seniors to meet, learn skills, and volunteer.
Mr. Samuel Bello, 68, a widower in Ibadan whose four children live in the US, now mentors teenage boys in his church. “It does not replace my children, but it gives me a reason to wake up and contribute,” he said.
Counselors advise parents to start preparing before children leave. Building friendships, hobbies, financial independence, and a support network can reduce the emotional impact. They also encourage adult children to stay intentional with regular calls, visits when possible, and including parents in family decisions.
As migration and internal relocation continue, more Nigerian homes will experience this shift. While parents celebrate their children’s progress, society must also pay attention to those left behind.
For many single parents, the home that was once full of life now feels quiet. But with planning, community support, and open conversations, that silence does not have to become loneliness.
Are you a parent navigating the empty nest, or an adult child living abroad? Share how you stay connected in the comments section.