The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has confirmed the withdrawal of the registration certificate of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
In an official statement signed by Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Ministry stated that it received a formal notification from the CAC dated October 6, 2025, announcing the withdrawal of the certificate previously issued to the NYCN on October 28, 2020.
The withdrawal of the Council’s registration certificate, according to the CAC, followed the long-standing leadership crises and multiple violations of the law.
According to the CAC’s communication, the decision was taken pursuant to the powers vested in the Commission under Sections 8(1)(c) and 8(1)(d) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, after a “comprehensive investigation into the affairs of the Council.”
The CAC’s findings, according to the statement, uncovered serial breaches of both the NYCN Constitution and CAMA 2020, particularly Sections 833 and 834, leading to the de-recognition of all existing claims to leadership, trusteeship, and management within the organization.
As part of the resolution process, the Commission has constituted an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee and manage the affairs of the NYCN for a period of one year, effective October 6, 2025.
The Ministry stated that it recognises the CAC’s legal authority to act under CAMA and has taken due cognizance of the Commission’s decision.
“As the supervisory authority over the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, being a law-abiding institution, acknowledges the legal authority of the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020,” the statement read.
It further urged all youth organizations, member bodies, and partners of the NYCN to cooperate fully with the Interim Management Committee during the restructuring process, emphasising that the exercise aims to restore unity, legitimacy, and institutional integrity to the Council.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a stable and credible youth governance framework anchored on accountability, transparency, and inclusivity, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria has long been enmeshed in a leadership crisis that destabilized the peace and operations of the Council.
Before the CAC announcement of its withdrawal of the NYCN registration certificate, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had on Monday, October 6, 2025, ordered a stop of the planned October 7 election of the Council by a faction led by Comrade Ademola Gbenga and others.
Justice J. E. Obanor issued the order in an ex parte application delivered in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/3803/2025 and motion No: M/12204/2025.
According to media reports, the court also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the court’s order.
The claimants/applicants in the case were the Incorporated Trustees of the NYCN and Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, representing the existing leadership of the Council.
While the defendants include Comr. Ademola Gbenga, Comr. Okechukwu Nnamene, Comr. Abel Abaji, Comr. Alex Allen Akin, Comr. Hassan Mamman, the Inspector General of Police, and the DSS.
The NYCN, during its National Elective Convention held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, from September 20 to 22, 2025, had re-elected Sukubo as its President alongside other executives.
But Gbenga and his allies, who were dissatisfied with the Sukubo-led leadership, formed a parallel faction and had planned to conduct another election in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7.
However, while the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the leadership of the NYCN, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, the CAC announced the withdrawal of the Council’s registration certificate, implying that it is no longer a legally registered organisation in accordance with the Nigerian law.