Renowned Nigerian political economist Professor Pat Utomi has made a strong case for generational leadership change, arguing that older politicians are unfairly denying younger Nigerians the opportunity to lead and shape the country’s future.
Utomi, who is 69 years old, remarked during an interview on News Central Television while discussing the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform.
“I’m 69 years old, and I now consider myself too old to be a cabinet minister,” Utomi declared.
“I have given my children authority, that if by 75 years they heard I have gone to do some political meetings other than sitting at home and giving elders advice, they should immediately have me arrested and brought home because somehow I may have gone senile and not remember what I promised them.”
“It’s Unfair to the Next Generation”
Utomi emphasized that while many elder statesmen are still competent, continued dominance by the older generation stifles progress and blocks opportunities for fresh ideas and innovation.
“We should not have certain people of a certain age still running around. Yes, they may still be the most capable of people, but it’s not fair to the next generation.
Ministers should typically be in their forties and fifties, and perhaps presidents and vice presidents could be in their sixties.”
He added that once leaders cross the age of 75, their roles should shift from contesting for political office to becoming mentors and national advisers, helping to guide the younger generation from behind the scenes.
“Anybody who is over seventy-five running, I think that generally, they should concern themselves with gathering the nation as fathers of the nation. They should find young people to advise and show the way.”
Generational Shift in Focus
Utomi’s comments come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is dominated by septuagenarians and octogenarians, even as millions of the country’s population are under 30. His call is seen by many as a rallying cry to accelerate the long-overdue youth inclusion in governance.
