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Abstract
Pre- and postretirement social activities (academic, social participation, leisure, religion, and contacts) of Nigerian academics were compared for applicability of the continuity theory. The activities were measured with questionnaire-based scales involving 254 retired and 260 yet-to-retire academics/respondents. Comparison by t test showed declining academic activities (p < 0.05) while social participation, which included traditional and cultural engagement increased (p < 0.05) after retirement. Leisure, religiosity, and contacts did not change significantly after retirement, thus indicating continuity. Self-rated health was good (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 5) and was positively related to all (r = 0.35–0.49; p < 0.01–0.05) but academic activities (r = 0.18, p > 0.05). While it can be concluded that the continuity theory is applicable to many social activities of the retired academics, the need for the inclusion of the traditional and cultural activities unique to the environment in the stratagem for promoting successful ageing was indicated.