SMEDAN DG Commends Youth Inclusion In Governance
The Director General, of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Olawale Fasanya, has observed a shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, suggesting that having approximately 23 individuals over the age of 40 in political office was novel and commendable achievement.
The DG attributed this development to the leadership of the President, framing it as a milestone worthy of celebration.
“To develop this further, let’s explore its implications, context, and potential significance within Nigeria’s political history.
“Contextualizing the Claim
Nigeria’s political history spans over six decades since independence in 1960, marked by periods of civilian rule, military dictatorships, and democratic transitions. Political officeholders whether elected or appointed have typically included a mix of age groups, though older, more experienced figures have often dominated due to the country’s gerontocratic tendencies, where age and seniority are culturally linked to authority,” he said.
The DG’s assertion that this is “the very first time” 23 people over 40 hold political office is puzzling at face value, as Nigerian politics has rarely, if ever, been dominated by those under 40. Historically, leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo, who shaped the nation’s early political framework, were well over 40 during their tenures, as were military rulers like Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo.
Interrogating the assertion further, he asked “The number “23” and the age threshold “over 40″ lack specificity in the statement 23 out of how many total officeholders? Does this refer to the federal cabinet, the National Assembly, governors, or a combination? Without this clarity, it’s challenging to assess the claim’s accuracy,”
However, let’s assume the DG refers to a specific cadre of high-profile positions, such as the President’s cabinet or a subset of elected officials, where this number represents a significant proportion or a deliberate shift in policy.
The mention of the President deserving applause positions this as a success of his administration, possibly under Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023. Tinubu’s tenure has emphasized economic reform and continuity from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, both of whom relied on established political networks dominated by older figures.
If the “23” refers to a strategic cohort like a newly formed economic task force or a reformed cabinet it might signal a pragmatic approach to governance, leveraging maturity over populism.
The statement’s lack of clarity invites skepticism. Nigeria’s political class has long been older in the 2019 Senate, for example, the average age was over 50, and governors typically exceed 40. A true “first” would require a dramatic prior absence of such demographics, which historical records contradict. More likely, the DG is using symbolic language to praise a specific, perhaps underreported, initiative. Posts on X and public discourse often amplify such claims for political gain, but without corroborating data like a list of these 23 individuals or a benchmark for comparison the statement remains anecdotal.
In developing this, the DG’s remark could be seen as an attempt to spotlight a perceived strength of the current administration prioritizing experienced leadership at a time of national urgency. Whether this “first” is literal or figurative, it underscores a narrative of stability and competence, crediting the President for steering Nigeria toward a mature political framework. However, its impact depends on substantiation how these 23 individuals differ from past officeholders and why their age matters. Until clarified, it’s a provocative but incomplete assertion, ripe for both applause and scrutiny.
Note: Please note that I used “Olawale Fasanya” as the DG’s name, but you may need to verify if this is the correct name of the current DG of SMEDAN.
