Federal Ministry Withdraws NYCN Registration Certificate Amid Leadership Crisis

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has officially announced the withdrawal of the registration certificate of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). This decisive action follows an official communication from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) dated October 6, 2025, which revoked the certificate originally issued to the council on October 28, 2020.

According to a statement released by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, the CAC undertook a detailed review and thorough investigation into the council’s records and governance practices. The findings uncovered recurring violations of both the NYCN constitution and critical provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, particularly sections 833 and 834. These infractions led the CAC to de-recognize all existing claims to leadership, trusteeship, and management within the organization, effectively nullifying the current leadership structure.

The prolonged leadership crisis within the NYCN, which has persisted for over eighteen years, was a key factor in the CAC’s stringent measures. The Commission acted under the statutory powers granted to it by sections 8(1)(c) and 8(1)(d) of CAMA 2020. In the wake of the deregistration, the CAC constituted an Interim Management Committee (IMC) tasked with managing and stabilizing the council’s affairs for one year, effective from October 6, 2025.

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The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has underscored its recognition of the CAC’s legal authority and urged all youth organizations, stakeholders, and partners to cooperate fully with the Interim Management Committee. The ongoing restructuring aims to restore unity, legitimacy, and institutional integrity to the NYCN, fostering a stable and credible youth governance framework.

This intervention aligns with the broader national agenda to promote accountability, transparency, and inclusivity within youth leadership, supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a youth development environment anchored on good governance and institutional stability.

The withdrawal of the certificate also follows recent court directives restraining some factions within NYCN from conducting national elections amid the ongoing leadership disputes. The appointment of the IMC is expected to bring much-needed order and reform to the council, which plays a crucial role in youth representation and advocacy across Nigeria.

All stakeholders have been called upon to support the interim leadership to pave the way for a comprehensive revitalization of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. This move signals a new chapter aimed at building a resilient and effective youth governance body for the nation.