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<p>By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa</p><div class="gETvV2nP" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African nations to embrace a new generation of leaders, arguing that individuals between the ages of 25 and 50 are better equipped to withstand the pressures of modern governance.</p>
<p>Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference held to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed.</p>
<p>Drawing from his experience in office, the former president highlighted the intense physical and mental demands of leadership, revealing that he sometimes slept for less than two hours a day while serving.</p><div class="m0GXWiPm" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>“Why do we assume that leadership must come at old age?” he asked, stressing that governance requires exceptional stamina and resilience.</p>
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<p>According to him, younger leaders are more likely to cope with the stress associated with running a country. “If you subject an older person to that level of stress, the health implications can be significant,” he said.</p>
<p>Jonathan reiterated support for Nigeria’s “Not Too Young To Run” campaign, which seeks to lower constitutional age limits for elective offices and broaden youth participation in politics.</p>
<p>“If Africa is serious about progress, we must consciously open up leadership spaces for younger, vibrant and mentally agile citizens,” he said.</p>
<p>He also expressed concern over what he described as the excessive foreign travels and prolonged absences of some public office holders, questioning how governance can be effective when leaders spend substantial time away from their jurisdictions.</p>
<p>“Leadership requires presence, discipline and commitment. Governance cannot be outsourced,” he added.</p>
<p>Reflecting on the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed, Jonathan said the late leader’s short but impactful tenure demonstrated that age is not a prerequisite for transformative leadership. Muhammed became Head of State at 38 and, despite serving for only 200 days, left enduring reforms.</p>
<p>He also cited General Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 32 and steered the country through the civil war before introducing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as an example of effective youthful leadership.</p>
<p>While advocating generational change, Jonathan cautioned that youthfulness alone is insufficient. He emphasised the need for strong democratic institutions, discipline and adherence to the rule of law.</p>
<p>“Democracy thrives on institutions, not personalities. It demands vision, persuasion and respect for the people’s will,” he said.</p>
<p>Jonathan concluded by urging both leaders and aspiring politicians to regard public office as a platform for service rather than entitlement, insisting that leadership should ultimately be measured by its impact on society.</p>
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