Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu
Coming to terms with the claim of life expectancy rates of Africans, especially in Nigeria, in view of what we see on the ground, remains one of the perplexing things that keeps reverberating in the minds of the discerning individuals.
Fifty-six point three six years (whatever that means) has been pegged as the life expectancy rate of Nigerians in 2025.
This figure is a significant improvement from 32.62years in 1950. Yet the 2025 statistics show that Nigeria was ranked as the country with the lowest life expectancy rate across the globe.
Our faith and experience proved that a living soul could die at any stage. We are even living witnesses to a plethora of miscarriages, abortions, still births, and infant mortality, among other life-terminating experiences.
Are Nigerians enjoying a short lifespan? Are those dishing out the statistics oblivious of the fact that many Nigerian politicians jostle to be elected to political offices after reaching the age of around 70 and yet live beyond?
A report by the Vanguard Newspaper listed the Nigerian President among 11 oldest African leaders aged over 70.
The Nation newspaper published an article about monarchs living long and reigning for a long period of time.
We cannot rule out the possibilities of having eminent professors, erudite scholars, responsible clerics, and many aged individuals of 80 and above, living in villages and remote places in Nigeria, positively contributing to society and making commendable impacts in their own ways. Nigerians seem not deterred by the statistics and external interpolations.
The expectancy rate appears to be an unproven imaginative expectation. Nigerians enjoy life to the fullest. For instance, several former leaders are among Nigeria’s most prominent elderly citizens, including Yakubu Gowon (91 years), Professor Wole Soyinka (91 years), Olusegun Obasanjo (88 years), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (84 years), Alhaji Muhamadu Ilyasu Bashar (84 years), General Muhammad Mogoro (84 years), Bode George (80 years) among other well-respected Nigerians.
Away from those who are living, let us talk about those who died (not killed) in Nigeria in 2025. As recent as the 26th day of November 2025, Sheikh Dahiru Usman, who lived almost a century, passed away at the age of 98. Alhaji Aminu Datata, a prominent businessman, died on June 28 when he was 94 years old.
Late President Muhammadu Buhari was 82 years old as of July 13 when he passed on. Professor Jibril Aminu was 84 years old before his demise on 5th June 2025. My uncle Malam Idris Haidara lived 84 years before passing on 18 May 2025.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebu land, was 91years old before he died on July 13, 2025. Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the 50th Ooni of Ife, who died on 28 July 2025, lived up to 95 years.
Coming to terms with the claim of life expectancy rates of Africans, especially in Nigeria, in view of what we see on the ground, remains one of the perplexing things that keeps reverberating in the minds of the discerning individuals.