By Barr Olori-Aje Adam
According to the most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, Nigeria’s average life expectancy at birth is estimated at approximately 54.5 years as of 2024/2025.
This figure reflects the average number of years a newborn is expected to live under current health and socio-economic conditions. In essence, this indicates that a significant proportion of Nigerians do not live beyond the age of 55, and for those who do, each additional year is considered a manifestation of divine grace, as the likelihood of death increases significantly between the ages of 55 and 60 due to prevalent health, infrastructure, and socio-economic challenges.
This stark reality has been deeply thought-provoking for me.
Assuming this data is accurate, and I believe it is. it means that by the age of 55 or 60, the path and the gate to the next phase of our existence are already opening. It signals that the inevitable end is drawing nearer. It also serves as a sobering reminder that we should no longer be caught unprepared by the cold hands of death. Rather, it means the time is now ripe, indeed overdue, to focus more intentionally on our ultimate destination after this life.
If these are truly the facts, and all evidence suggests that, they are, then why the blind and restless pursuit of wealth, wealth, and more wealth at this stage of life? Why are we so oblivious to these realities? Why do we live and behave as if we will be here forever?
These, and many more burning questions, inform today’s Jum’at reminder in the following lines and I start by saying, yes! Our blind struggles for wealth, wealth, and wealth should be cautioned, especially as we age gracefully.
By the time we reach the age of 60 and beyond, we must have tasted every “soup” of life: the hot, the warm, and the cold. We have seen the rise and fall of seasons, the joys and trials of life. At that stage, nothing is truly new—unless we are deceiving ourselves.
What then is the essence of the continued, desperate pursuit of wealth? Especially when, truthfully, 95% of whatever we acquire will no longer be of personal benefit to us at that age.
Let us reflect more deeply.
The peak of human enjoyment typically lies in what we eat or drink, and in the pleasures of sexual intimacy. During our vibrant years, much of our earnings and energy go into satisfying these urges. But at 60 and above, no man can indulge freely as he once did because, both appetite and sexual intimacy are governed by health, and not by wealth.
Therefore, the wealth we struggle blindly to acquire later in life, no longer serves our most basic enjoyments. Some may falsely believe that wealth guarantees longevity, but the clear and final declaration of Allah (SWT) in the Qur’an refutes that notion. Allah says in Q16:61.
When their time comes, they can neither delay it by a single moment nor speed it up.
This should lead us to a sobering conclusion: that the unmindful, relentless pursuit of wealth after a certain age is, in reality, of little purpose. Whatever we accumulate at that stage is rarely for us or our own use. So why the blind obsession with it?
This is precisely the wisdom behind the profound words of Rasulullah (SAW), when he said:
The son of Adam says: ‘My wealth, my wealth!’ Yet, O son of Adam, is there anything truly yours of your wealth except what you have eaten and consumed, what you have worn and worn out, or what you have given in charity and sent ahead for yourself?
Let us pause and reflect deeply on these timeless words.
How often do we say, “my money,” “my house,” “my car” while we forget that none of it will truly remain ours? The food we eat perishes. The clothes we wear fade. Even the homes we build will be left behind. Only what we give in the way of Allah (SWT)—through kindness, charity, and service, is what will last. That is what we “send ahead” and that is what we will find waiting for us in the Hereafter.
So let us ask ourselves sincerely:
Are we building only for this World, or are we preparing for the journey beyond?
I dare say it again that, the struggle for wealth, wealth, and wealth must be cautioned. Let’s hold our hearts tightly, not to riches, but to generousity, gratitude, and the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure. For in the end, nothing is truly ours, except the good we do.
Let us reassess our priorities and channel our remaining strength, time, and resources into what will truly benefit us after this fleeting life. Let us redirect our wealth (old and new) towards deeds that will light our graves and elevate our ranks in the sight of Allah (SWT).
This stage of life should not be for more ambition but for more reflection. It is time to see things more clearly, to recognise Allah (SWT) in everything, and to walk humbly before Him.
Now is the time to be deeply grateful. And instead of racing blindly after worldly gains, let us strive:
To do all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, and for as long as we ever can.
May Allah (SWT) guide us to what is best, forgive our excesses, and make our old age a time of wisdom, peace, and eternal preparation.
As we age and draw closer to our inevitable meeting with Allah (SWT), may we not be among those who only got awakened to the truth when it is too late.
While we are still oppotuned, let us return to Allah (SWT) with sincerity, simplicity, and purpose, before we are returned to Him without choice.
