While speaking in Abuja at a leadership conference marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed, Jonathan argued that African nations should prioritize leaders between the ages of 25 and 50.

​Why did he say this?​Jonathan’s reasoning was based primarily on the physical and mental stamina required for modern governance:

​Physical Strength: He noted that the job often requires staying awake for 24 hours at a time.

​Mental Sharpness: He argued that younger leaders are more “vibrant” and better equipped to handle the high-pressure environment of the presidency.

​Personal Reflection: In a moment of candor, he shared that during his own time in office, he often slept for less than two hours a day. He joked (though with a serious point) that if you subject an older person to that kind of stress, they might spend “50 percent of the time in the hospital.”

​Historical Context: He pointed out that Murtala Muhammed himself was only 37 when he became Head of State, and Yakubu Gowon was just 31

The “Not Too Young to Run” Push​Jonathan used the platform to reinforce the “Not Too Young to Run” movement, suggesting that legal age barriers for offices like the Senate or the Presidency (which are often set at 35 or 40) should be lowered further to allow younger people to take the lead.