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World leaders are getting older—except in democracies

Advances in medicine over the past 50 years have allowed leaders to live longer, with 11 autocrats today aged over 75.

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(The Economist)

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The advanced age of many world leaders came into sharp focus in 2024 when 81-year-old Joe Biden was pressed to withdraw from America’s presidential race over concerns about his mental acuity. Americans then elected Donald Trump who, at 78, is no spring chicken.

Mr Biden is far from the world’s oldest leader. Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon since 1982, is now 91 years old. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ⁷2.

The world’s two most populous countries, China and India, also have leaders in their 70s.Going into 2025, the world’s leaders are, on average, older than ever. Over the past five decades, the average age of all leaders has risen from 55 to 62.

The trend in democratic countries, however, is the opposite. The average age of freely elected leaders is 59, a bit younger than fifty years ago.

In 1975, no democratic country’s leader was under 45. Today, three are.Some are older, too: in 1975, no leader of a democratic country was older than 75.

Now five have passed this milestone, including Mr Biden and his successor.America is an outlier among democracies. Not only is it electing older presidents, its legislators are the oldest in the world.

The new administration is unlikely to change that.Meanwhile, the worldwide trend toward ageing leaders is largely being driven by autocracies.

The average dictator is now 64—12 years older than in 1975. This isn’t surprising, as autocratic leaders have historically been reluctant to give up power.

Advances in medicine over the past 50 years have allowed leaders to live longer, with 11 autocrats today aged over 75.

But the same forces letting leaders live longer affect the general population, too.

While the average leader is seven years older than 50 years ago, the average age of citizens has risen by eleven years.Older leaders are not necessarily a problem.

Experience can bring wisdom. But slowing down, physically and mentally, is inevitable with age.

Research has found older politicians are less concerned with the needs of the young, and spend less on child welfare and more on benefits for seniors.

The increase in life expectancy around the world, together with the stalling of birth rates, means that leaders have on average become more like the populations they govern.

In the years ahead, expect world leaders to become increasingly grey.

In 1975 the average age gap between leaders and their subjects was 42 years; now it is 39. But the rest of the world will be greying with them.

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JUST IN: Ex-Delta Gov Uduaghan Dies at 71, Oborevwori Mourns

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Former Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is dead. He passed away on the morning of Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 71, after a period of illness.

A family statement announced his death, describing it as a devastating loss. Uduaghan, a medical doctor, served as Delta State Commissioner for Health (1999–2003) and Secretary to the State Government (2003–2007) before becoming governor from 2007 to 2015. He was known for contributions to infrastructure and human capital development in the state.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed deep sadness over the passing. In a condolence message, he described Uduaghan as a detribalised leader whose service left a lasting mark on Delta State.

Oborevwori extended heartfelt condolences to Uduaghan’s wife, Roli, his children, the Uduaghan family, the Itsekiri nation, and the people of Delta State, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

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JUST IN: Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Motorcyclist’s Death in Lagos

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An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.

Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.

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ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

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• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)

ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).

ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.

ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).

Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.

The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.

Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.

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