Atiku, who is currently pursuing the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had stated during an interview on Arise TV that Jonathan’s leadership struggles were partly due to his age and lack of experience.
“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced, and I believe that contributed to his inability to manage the affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges,” Atiku said.
Jonathan, however, dismissed the claim while speaking at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) awards ceremony held in Abuja on Monday. He acknowledged that mistakes are inevitable in leadership but insisted that his age did not make him unfit to govern.
“So not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes,’” Jonathan said.
“If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes. All human beings must make mistakes.”
The former president pointed out that he became Nigeria’s president in 2010 at the age of 53 and left office in 2015 at 58, questioning why anyone would describe him as “too young” at that stage of his career.
“I became president in 2010 at the age of 53. I left in 2015 at the age of 58, and they say I was too young. Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?” he asked.
Jonathan maintained that, despite challenges, he took decisions he believed were in Nigeria’s best interest. He also highlighted Nigeria’s diplomatic achievements during his tenure, including the country’s successful election to the United Nations Security Council on two occasions.
Speaking to diplomats at the event, Jonathan said his administration’s international accomplishments were proof that he was not as inexperienced as critics claimed.
“If I were so naive, I don’t think I would have been able to navigate through that process,” he stated.
Jonathan also used the platform to address broader regional issues, warning that political instability remains one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth in West Africa. He noted that the vision of ECOWAS founders for regional cooperation continues to face setbacks due to repeated political crises.
“We cannot progress economically if we are very unstable societies politically,” he said.
According to Jonathan, ECOWAS has struggled to enforce democratic standards across member states because of the sensitive issue of sovereignty, urging West African leaders to work collectively to ensure political stability across the sub-region.
“The heads of states of ECOWAS must continue to work together and agree on concrete terms and make sure that the sub-region is politically stable,” he added.
During the event, Jonathan paid tribute to the founders of ECOWAS, including former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, describing the creation of the regional bloc in 1975 as a courageous and visionary step toward unity and economic integration.
Gowon, who was also honoured at the ceremony, recounted how ECOWAS was formed following diplomatic engagements across West Africa after Nigeria’s difficult civil war period. He said the idea emerged from discussions with regional leaders who shared a common desire for stronger cooperation.
“This would not have been possible without the support of all the staff of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development,” Gowon said, adding that the recognition he received should be shared with those who worked behind the scenes.
Also speaking, ARCAN President Joe Keshi stressed the importance of recognising excellence in diplomacy, noting that diplomatic achievements often go unnoticed because they are measured by stability and conflict prevention rather than public celebrations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waheed Shaibu, also praised Gowon, describing him as a symbol of unity and national development, and commended ARCAN for promoting Nigeria’s diplomatic legacy and global engagement.
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