Analysis of Succession Planning in Family-Owned Farming Enterprises in Kwara State

Succession planning is a critical but frequently overlooked dimension of farm business continuity, particularly in family-owned enterprises where management transition from one generation to the next can determine the long-term survival of accumulated assets and knowledge. In Kwara State, in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, family-owned farms in crop and livestock sectors face increasing generational transition pressures as founding operators age, yet formal succession planning is rarely documented. This study analyses succession planning practices and challenges in family-owned farming enterprises in Kwara State. A purposive sample of 40 family farming enterprises with operators aged 55 years or older was selected from Ilorin, Offa, and Lafiagi areas. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore succession intent, heir preparation, legal documentation of farm assets, and family governance structures. Thematic content analysis was applied. Results reveal that only 23 percent of enterprise owners had a written succession plan, while 60 percent intended to pass the enterprise to a named heir without formal documentation. Knowledge transfer to intended successors was informal and inconsistent in over 70 percent of cases. Family land disputes were identified as the most common succession-related conflict. Female heirs were explicitly excluded from succession consideration in 44 percent of cases. The study recommends the development of a farm succession planning advisory service in Kwara State and the integration of succession planning content into PGD farm management curricula to build professional capacity in this underserved area. Keywords: succession planning, family farming enterprises, Kwara State, intergenerational transfer, farm continuity