AGE DYNAMICS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERFORMANCE OF POLITICALOFFICE HOLDERS IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Age has long been an influential factor in political leadership, shaping decision-making,
administrative efficiency, and the capacity to manage public institutions. In Nigeria’s South-South
geopolitical zone, a region characterized by its rich natural resources, ethnic diversity, and
complex socio-political realities, age-related dynamics among political office holders have
generated debates regarding their impact on governance outcomes. This study examines the
relationship between age dynamics and administrative performance of political office holders
across the six South-South states. Using a mixed-method approach, including survey responses
from 400 respondents and regression analysis, the study reveals that while experience (often
correlated with age) enhances policy knowledge and institutional memory, younger political office
holders are more innovative, technologically inclined, and participatory in governance processes.
The findings underscore the need for balanced representation across age groups to optimize
administrative performance. The paper concludes with recommendations for inclusive leadership,
mentorship structures, and reform policies that encourage intergenerational collaboration in
governance