Former President Goodluck Jonathan Advocates for Younger African Leadership
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a compelling call to African nations, urging them to deliberately promote and elect younger leaders within the age range of 25 to 50 years. Speaking at the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference in Abuja, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, Jonathan emphasized that this demographic is better equipped to handle the rigorous demands of modern governance.
Age as a Limiting Factor in Leadership Capacity
Jonathan argued that age often restricts a leader's ability to cope with the intense pressures of office. He posed a critical question to the audience: "Why do we begin to think that you must be a hundred years old before you can rule your country?" This rhetorical challenge underscores his belief that youth should not be a barrier to effective leadership, but rather an asset in navigating contemporary challenges.
Stamina and Resilience: Key Advantages of Younger Leaders
The former president highlighted the physical and mental stamina required for leadership, noting that younger individuals can more effectively endure the demanding schedules of high office. "If they need to stay awake for 24 hours, they can do so. When I was in office, some days I did not sleep more than two hours. Subject an older person to that stress and they would spend half the time in hospital," Jonathan explained, drawing from his personal experiences to illustrate the toll that governance can take.
Alignment with Nigeria's "Not Too Young To Run" Movement
Jonathan reinforced his message by aligning it with Nigeria's "Not Too Young To Run" movement, which aims to lower age barriers for elective positions and encourage greater youth participation in politics. "I have to reinforce the Not Too Young To Run movement. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look within the 25 to 50 age bracket. That is when you are vibrant, physically strong and mentally sound," he stated, advocating for a systemic shift in how leadership candidates are evaluated.
Discipline and Stewardship as Foundational Leadership Principles
Beyond age, Jonathan stressed the importance of discipline and stewardship in leadership. He criticized leaders who spend excessive time abroad, neglecting their duties. "In a country like the United States, some governors do not leave their states for four years. But here, some of our governors spend 50 per cent of their time abroad. So who runs the state? Coming of age must transcend many things. First and foremost, we must have the discipline to manage ourselves," he remarked, calling for a renewed focus on accountability and presence.
Historical Examples of Youthful Leadership Impact
Reflecting on General Murtala Muhammed's legacy, Jonathan noted that age did not hinder decisive and visionary leadership. Muhammed became Head of State at 38 and achieved significant milestones despite a tenure of only 200 days. Jonathan also cited General Yakubu Gowon, who assumed leadership at 32 and introduced the National Youth Service Corps, demonstrating that youth can indeed drive effective governance and lasting institutional reforms.
Democracy Relies on Strong Institutions, Not Just Youth
Jonathan cautioned that youth alone is insufficient without complementary factors such as discipline, patriotism, and robust institutions. "Democracy requires vision rather than decree. It requires persuasion instead of command. It depends on institutions, not individuals. Above all, it requires respect for the rule of law and the willingness to submit power to the will of the people," he asserted, emphasizing that sustainable governance frameworks are critical for long-term success.
Leadership as Service and Stewardship
He urged African leaders to view governance as a form of stewardship rather than an entitlement, and encouraged young people to perceive leadership as a service to society. "Young people must see leadership as service, not entitlement. Leaders must see governance as stewardship, not a right," Jonathan added, framing leadership within a context of responsibility and communal benefit.
Measuring Leadership by Impact, Not Tenure
In his concluding remarks, Jonathan reminded attendees that leadership should be evaluated based on impact rather than the length of time in office. "As we mark 50 years of General Murtala Muhammed's legacy, let us remember that leadership is not measured by how long you govern; it is measured by the courage to act decisively when the nation needs direction and by the impact you make on society," he said, encapsulating his vision for a transformative approach to African leadership.
