The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have jointly clarified the legal status and leadership structure of the Council following a peaceful protest at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The protest, led by NYCN President, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, drew youths from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The demonstrators called for the sack of CAC Registrar-General, Ishaq Magaji, over alleged violation of a subsisting court judgment concerning the leadership and registration status of the Council.
The peaceful demonstration was aimed at defending the rule of law and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s foremost youth institution.
Following the protest, the CAC’s Acting Registrar-General received the NYCN leadership in a closed-door meeting to address the issues raised.
During the engagement, the CAC clarified that the committee recently constituted by the Ministry of Youth was set up solely to investigate certain administrative concerns and not to pilot or oversee the affairs of the Council, as had been widely reported.
The Commission further noted that it was misquoted by sections of the media, stressing that it never declared a leadership vacuum nor authorized any parallel group to act on behalf of the Council.
According to the CAC, its role is purely supervisory, and it cannot impose interim leadership or interfere in the internal governance of organizations duly registered under the Commission. “The CAC cannot enforce interim measures or meddle in the internal affairs of the NYCN. Our responsibility is to guide and ensure compliance with legal frameworks,” the Acting Registrar-General reportedly stated.
During the meeting, the NYCN leadership presented copies of a Supreme Court judgment and other pending court documents affirming its legal mandate. The presentation, according to the Council, further reinforced the legitimacy of the current leadership under Ambassador Sukubo.
Both parties agreed to uphold due process and the rule of law in addressing issues affecting the Council. Consequently, the CAC reaffirmed that the NYCN leadership under Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo remains the legally recognized executive and should continue to discharge its mandate across the country.
“We appreciate the CAC for clarifying the position of the law and reaffirming the authenticity of our leadership,” Sukubo said after the meeting. “This engagement has put to rest all misconceptions about the status of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.”
The development comes a day after the NYCN had issued a statement accusing the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the CAC of acting in contempt of court over an alleged attempt to withdraw its registration certificate.
The Council had described the move as “unlawful, politically motivated, and a violation of judicial authority.”
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and the rule of law, the NYCN urged its members nationwide to remain united, law-abiding, and focused on youth empowerment in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.