Jonathan, Akume disagree over age criterion for leadership

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Thursday disagreed over whether age should be a determining factor in leadership. Jonathan urged African countries to lower age barriers and strengthen institutions that allow young people to govern, arguing that those between 25 and 50 are better equipped […]

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Thursday disagreed over whether age should be a determining factor in leadership.

Jonathan urged African countries to lower age barriers and strengthen institutions that allow young people to govern, arguing that those between 25 and 50 are better equipped to meet the physical and mental demands of modern governance.

Akume, however, countered that leadership should not be measured by age but by ideas, stressing that vision and capability, rather than years, define effective leaders.

They spoke in Abuja at the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed.

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‘Leadership should shift to under-50s’

Reflecting on his time in office, Jonathan said leadership requires exceptional stamina and resilience, noting that he often slept for only a few hours while serving as president.

“Why do we begin to think that you must be a hundred years old before you can rule your country?” he asked, stressing that younger leaders are more capable of coping with the pressures of governance.

“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 can be vibrant, physically strong and mentally sound,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan cited the example of General Murtala Muhammed, who became Head of State at 38 and, despite serving for only 200 days, left what he described as a lasting legacy of decisive and visionary leadership.

“His leadership sent a clear message that governance is about serving the national interest, not personal ambition,” he said.

He also referenced General Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 32 and later introduced the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing him as another example of youthful leadership at a critical period in Nigeria’s history.

However, Jonathan cautioned that age alone does not guarantee effective leadership, emphasising the importance of discipline, patriotism and strong institutions.

“Democracy depends on institutions, not individuals. It requires vision rather than decree, persuasion instead of command, and respect for the rule of law,” he said.

He urged young people to approach leadership as service rather than entitlement, and called on African leaders to view governance as stewardship.

“As we mark 50 years of General Murtala Muhammed’s legacy, let us remember that leadership is measured not by duration in office but by the courage to act and the impact made on society,” Jonathan added.

 

Leadership not about age – Akume

Senator Akume said leadership is defined not by age but by ideas.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, Akume praised the ideals of the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, stating: “He was not just a Nigerian; he loved his country and did so much to restore its glory.

“Nigerians will continue to remember him for his fight against corruption. He believed in Africa and worked for its liberation. He invested significant resources, and the results were evident.”

He also lauded Murtala for initiating programmes aimed at returning the country to democracy before his assassination.

Akume urged Nigerians not to lose hope, assuring them that the government is committed to achieving its set goals.

Also speaking, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor called for greater African unity, warning that the continent risks fresh divisions in its pursuit of progress.

He described General Murtala Muhammed’s life as a defence of African dignity, noting that many of Africa’s present gains stem from the sacrifices of leaders like him.

“Our continent risks dividing again in the quest to build a better future for its citizens. We must pursue Africa’s struggle with confidence and maturity,” he said, adding that the vision of leaders such as Murtala was always forward-looking.

In his keynote address, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said when Murtala declared that “Africa has come of age,” he was calling for self-awareness, responsibility and the courage to manage the continent’s affairs.

“Coming of age is not the absence of problems, but the determination to confront them,” he said, adding that Africa’s destiny lies in its own hands.

He urged leaders to drive growth, strengthen institutions and harness the continent’s vast potential to compete globally.

Dr. Isha Mohammed Oyebade, daughter of the late Head of State, said while Murtala’s generation fought for political independence, the present generation must fight for strong institutions.

“If Africa seeks prosperity on the global stage, we must deliver prosperity at home,” she said.

 

Obasanjo: Inconsistent policies stalled Nigeria’s growth

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo attributed Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on rice imports to the decision of the civilian administration that took office in 1979 to reverse a ban imposed by the outgoing military government.

Reflecting on the transition from military to civilian rule in 1979, Obasanjo said his administration had been close to achieving self-sufficiency in rice production before handing over power to President Shehu Shagari.

“By the time we left in July 1979, we wanted to be self-sufficient in rice production. We requested a report on what was in the fields, and the findings indicated that we would achieve self-sufficiency that year,” he said.

Based on that assessment, he explained, his government banned rice importation shortly before leaving office in October 1979.

Obasanjo said the incoming civilian administration lifted the ban soon after assuming office, a move he said undermined progress made toward domestic production.

“Since the lifting of the rice import ban in 1979, we have not fully recovered. That is why we are still importing rice today,” he said, adding that inconsistent policies have hindered Nigeria’s development.

The former president argued that Nigeria’s broader economic struggles stem in part from an inability to sustain sound policies over time. He recalled that Nigeria once ranked 37th among the world’s economies and suggested that consistent growth could have positioned the country among the top ten today.

“What we need to do is reform and produce. Reform and produce,” he said, urging African leaders to prioritise structural reforms and productive capacity.

Obasanjo said Africa must achieve sustained annual GDP growth of between nine and 10 per cent to realise its full potential, noting that such growth rates had been attained in the past.

Using agriculture as an example, he said cocoa production tripled during his civilian presidency, rising from 150,000 metric tonnes to 450,000 metric tonnes within a few years, before later declining to about 300,000 metric tonnes.

“We have gone backwards. That is not how Africa will come of age,” he said.

Obasanjo also said no leader in Nigeria’s history matched the legacy of Murtala Muhammed, particularly in building enduring institutions.

He said Murtala’s greatest achievement was the creation of institutions and structures that outlived him.

Obasanjo described 1975 as a watershed in Nigeria’s history, noting that the aftermath of the civil war posed a serious threat to the nation’s unity.

He said Nigerian leaders of that period understood the global perception of the Black race and felt a responsibility to demonstrate leadership, resilience and the ability to manage differences.