Wale Jagun
Despite the withdrawal of its certificate of registration by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on Tuesday, a faction of the national body of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) went ahead to conduct a congress to change its leadership, with Comrade Babangida Onimisi Isah from Kogi State and Comrade Abubakri Asoro, current Vice Chairman (East) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, emerging as the elected national President and Deputy President of the youth body at a congress held in Abuja.
While Babangida polled 243 votes to beat Comrade Ahmad Rufai Abubakar – Khalifah from Kebbi States who polled 228 votes in the Presidential election, Asoro was returned unopposed.
A total of 497 delegates were accredited for the election which took place at the Woman Development Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.
Asoro and 14 others who contested unopposed were adopted after a motion moved by Amb. Abdulahi Ismaila, Secretary Kogi State Chapter and seconded by Comrade Funke Ikepo of HUVACOD. Thereafter, delegates at the Congress with a ‘YES’ vote elected the 15 unopposed candidates.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development had, on Tuesday, via a statement, informed stakeholders and the general public of the withdrawal of the certificate of the NYCN registration by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), following a protracted leadership crisis.
Following this, the commission has constituted an interim body to manage the NYCN activities for a year, which prevent any congress or election.
According to the ministry, CAC took the action in pursuant to the powers conferred on 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.
“Upon a detailed review of the Council’s records and governance practices, the Corporate Affairs Commission found serial violations of both the NYCN Constitution and the provisions of CAMA 2020, particularly Sections 833 and 834. Consequently, the Commission has de-recognized all existing claims to leadership, trusteeship, and management within the organization.
“In line with its statutory powers, the Corporate Affairs Commission has constituted an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee and manage the affairs of the Council for a period of one (1) year, effective October 6, 2025.
“As the supervisory authority over the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, being a law-abiding institution, takes due cognizance of this development and acknowledges the legal authority of the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.
“The Ministry, therefore, urged all stakeholders, youth organizations, and partners of the Council to take due note of this development and to cooperate fully with the Interim Management Committee in the ongoing restructuring process. This exercise is aimed at restoring unity, legitimacy, and institutional integrity to the NYCN, in line with its founding ideals.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth Development remains firmly committed to ensuring a stable, credible, and inclusive youth governance framework that upholds accountability, transparency, and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”, the statement said.
