Nigeria is currently in the era of advocacy for youths in governance and leadership. This became tense following the passage and signing of the not-too-young-to-run bill under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The campaign for youths in positions of authority became a major campaign talk against President Bola Tinubu and his major contender, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election.

Tinubu, Atiku to contest in 2027 election

Following the outcome of the 2023 election, the talk has continued to gain ground as politicians began to make alignments and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election. Interestingly, Tinubu and Atiku have also declared interest in the 2027 election. In 2027, Atiku will be 80 while Tinubu will be 74.

Amid the controversies, the age of the governors became part of the talks. According to a report by The Cable Index, Governor Ahmed Ododo, 43, is the youngest governor in Nigeria at present.

Governor Ododo was declared the winner of the November 2023 governorship election in Kogi under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nigerian governors and their ages

As Ododo is the youngest governor, the names and ages of other governors in Nigeria are compiled below:

1. Bala Muhammed (Bauchi): 66 years
2. Douye Diri (Bayelsa): 66 years
3. Hope Uzodinma (Imo): 66 years
4. Charles Soludo (Anambra): 65 years
5. Bassey Otu (Cross River): 65 years
6. Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara): 65 years
7. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa): 65 years
8. Dapo Abiodun (Ogun): 65 years
9. Ademola Adeleke (Osun): 65 years
10. Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe): 63 years

11. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta): 62 years
12. Umar Namadi (Jigawa): 62 years
13. Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano): 62 years
14. Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom): 61 years
15. Alex Otti (Abia): 60 years
16. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos): 60 years
17. Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo): 60 years
18. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau): 60 years
19. Nasir Idris (Kebbi): 59 years
20. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara): 59 years

21. Hyacinth Alia (Benue): 59 years
22. Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa): 58 years
23. Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti): 57 years
24. Seyi Makinde (Oyo): 57 years
25. Mai Mala Buni (Yobe): 57 years
26. Babagana Zulum (Borno): 55 years
27. Monday Okpebholo (Edo): 55 years
28. Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto): 55 years
29. Uba Sani (Kaduna): 54 years
30. Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina): 54 years

31. Agbu Kefas (Taraba): 54 years
32. Peter Mbah (Enugu): 53 years
33. Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger): 51 years
34. Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi): 50 years
35. Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers): 50 years
36. Usman Ododo (Kogi): 43 years