CAC Withdraws NYCN Registration, Constitutes Interim Management Amid 18-Year Leadership Crisis
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

In a decisive regulatory move, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially withdrawn the certificate of registration previously issued to the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), effective October 6, 2025. The action marks a bold attempt by the Federal Government to address the council’s long-standing leadership tussle that has crippled its operations for nearly two decades.

CAC Moves to Restore Sanity in Youth Representation

According to details obtained by Akahi News from The Punch, the CAC’s withdrawal followed an extensive investigation into the council’s internal affairs, particularly the persistent power struggles that have plagued it for 18 years. The commission invoked Sections 8(1)(c) and 8(1)(d) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, which empower it to revoke the registration of organisations that fail to operate in line with their objectives or the law.

A statement released by Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, confirmed receipt of the CAC’s notification. The Ministry acknowledged the commission’s decision, emphasising that it had become necessary to preserve institutional integrity and restore order to the nation’s apex youth body.

“The Federal Ministry of Youth Development hereby informs the general public, particularly all youth stakeholders and affiliates of the NYCN, that it has received an official communication from the CAC dated October 6, 2025, notifying the Ministry of the withdrawal of the registration certificate earlier issued to the National Youth Council of Nigeria on October 28, 2020,” the statement read in part.

Interim Management Committee Appointed

To prevent a vacuum in youth representation, the CAC has constituted an Interim Management Committee to oversee the NYCN’s affairs for one year. The committee is expected to coordinate ongoing reforms, stabilise the council’s operations, and prepare the ground for credible leadership elections in line with CAMA provisions and the Ministry’s supervisory mandate.

The decision came just days after an FCT High Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining some factions of the council — including Comrades Ademola Gbenga and Okechukwu Nnamene — from conducting a parallel election scheduled for October 7, 2025. The ruling, delivered by Justice J.E. Obanor, also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the order pending further hearing of the substantive case.

Legal experts who spoke with Akahi News described the CAC’s intervention as a “necessary corrective measure,” given the NYCN’s protracted crisis, which has weakened its relevance and credibility as Nigeria’s umbrella body for youth organisations.

Ministry Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Inclusion

The Ministry of Youth Development reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the interim leadership to ensure a smooth transition and a unified youth movement. According to Esan, the restructuring process aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, inclusion, and participation in governance.

“This exercise is aimed at restoring unity, legitimacy, and institutional integrity to the NYCN, in line with its founding ideals,” Esan added.
“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring a stable, credible, and inclusive youth governance framework that upholds accountability, transparency, and aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Years of Factional Struggle and Dwindling Influence

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, established in 1964 as a unifying platform for youth organisations across the federation, has for years been embroiled in leadership disputes, often resulting in multiple factions laying claim to national leadership. These internal divisions have undermined its capacity to engage government effectively and diminished its credibility in representing Nigerian youth both locally and internationally.

According to reports Akahi News gathered, several administrations had attempted to mediate peace within the council, but efforts often collapsed due to entrenched interests and political interference. The CAC’s revocation, therefore, signals a fresh opportunity to rebuild the council from the ground up.

Reactions from Stakeholders

Reactions have continued to trail the development, with many youth advocates welcoming the CAC’s decision as “long overdue.” Some, however, expressed caution, urging the government to ensure that the interim committee operates transparently and does not become another tool for political manipulation.

Civil society observers told Akahi News that the Ministry must work closely with credible youth leaders, including those from community-based organisations, student unions, and professional bodies, to design a sustainable structure for youth representation.

The Road Ahead for the NYCN

As the interim management committee takes charge, expectations are high that this intervention will end years of internal wrangling and reposition the NYCN to play its constitutional role in national development. Analysts believe that genuine reform, inclusive participation, and transparent elections could restore confidence in the council’s operations.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development, is expected to announce members of the interim committee and unveil its terms of reference in the coming days.

The coming months will determine whether this bold step by the CAC and the Ministry marks a true turning point for Nigeria’s foremost youth organisation or merely another phase in its troubled history.

Akahi News will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as events unfold.

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