DISCOVERY
Volume 62, Issue 341, May - August 2026
Understanding Succession Planning and Business Sustainability in Sub- Saharan Africa: Perspectives from Small-Scale Enterprises in Owerri Metropolis in South East Nigeria
Jude Chukwunyere Iwuoha1♦, Uchenna Nicholas Abiakam2, Adaeze Ukamaka Jude-Iwuoha3, Wisdom Ezemndi Nwaguru4, Kenneth Chukwudi Iwuchukwu5, Hope Iwuchukwu6, Patrick Mbabaso7
1University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
2University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
3Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia,
Abia State, Nigeria
4University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
5University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
6University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
7University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria
♦Corresponding Author
Jude Chukwunyere Iwuoha,
University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo,
Imo State, Nigeria,
ABSTRACT
This study examined how succession planning affects SMEs’ Sustainability and
continuity in Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. The study has the objective of
determining how effective succession planning influences business continuity in
Owerri Metropolis. The study identified key challenges that inhibit succession
planning implementation. We also evaluated best practices that enhance leadership
transition. 67 respondents were randomly sampled out of 100 targeted SMEs above
the threshold of fifty million naira annual revenue. A response rate of 87% was
achieved, prompting the analysis of the data with SPSS. The results showed that
succession planning significantly and positively affected business Sustainability and
continuity in Owerri Metropolis. This is in addition to mentorship gaps, family
conflicts, and inadequately qualified successors. On the other hand, leadership
transitioning is found to be improved by training, early identification of successors,
and unhindered communication.
Keywords: Succession Planning, Business Sustainability, Small Scale Enterprises
Discovery, 2026, 62, e23d3300
Published: 14 August 2026
© The Author(s) 2026. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).