Renowned Nigerian political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has sparked fresh debate on age and leadership, arguing that those seeking the nation’s highest offices should ideally be in their sixties.

Speaking on News Central Television during a discussion on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, Utomi highlighted the need for older politicians to make room for younger generations. According to him, leaders who continue to cling to power into their late seventies and beyond are unfairly denying younger Nigerians the opportunity to serve.

“I’m 69 years old, and I now consider myself too old to be a cabinet minister,” Utomi said frankly. “I’ve told my children that if by 75 they hear I’ve gone for some political meeting, they should have me arrested and brought back home — because by then I might have forgotten what I promised them.”

Utomi stressed that while older individuals may still be competent, it is more equitable to let the next generation take the reins.

“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,” he explained.

He proposed an age guide for political offices, saying, “Ministers should typically be in their forties and fifties. Perhaps, the President and Vice President could be in their sixties. But anyone over 75 should really focus on guiding the nation as elder statesmen — advising, mentoring, and showing young people the way.”

Utomi’s comments come at a time when conversations about youth inclusion and leadership renewal continue to grow across Nigeria, with many arguing that fresh energy and ideas are needed to tackle the country’s deep-rooted challenges.