Today marks a historic milestone for the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) as we address you as members of its newly constituted Interim Management Committee (IMC).
It is widely known that the NYCN has, for over a decade, been plagued by persistent leadership crises and constitutional irregularities.
On October 6, 2025, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) officially notified the Federal Ministry of Youth Development of the withdrawal of the registration certificate earlier issued to the NYCN in October 2020. This action followed a thorough investigation into the Council’s long-standing internal disputes, carried out under the powers granted to the CAC by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
In compliance with this directive and after extensive consultations with stakeholders to reposition the Council, the Ministry of Youth Development inaugurated and recognized the following as members of the Interim Management Committee:
-
Barrister Buhari Ibrahim Shehu – Chairman
-
Kehinde Charity Awojoola – Federal Ministry of Youth Development
-
Adeleke Adebajo – Southwest (Ogun)
-
Uzoh Ifeanyi C. – Southeast (Enugu)
-
Muhammad Abdullahi Sule – Northwest (Kano)
-
Josephine Equali Eni – South-South (Cross River)
-
Blessing Onne Okwe – North Central (Benue)
-
Kaka Lawan Bundi – Northeast (Borno)
-
Sagir Umar Yana – CAC Representative
The Interim Management Committee has been mandated to manage the affairs of the NYCN for one year, organize elections into offices of the Trustees, Governing Council, and other leadership positions, collaborate with relevant stakeholders—especially the Federal Ministry of Youth Development—to refocus the Council’s operations for national interest, review constitutional provisions that hinder effective youth outreach, and promote youth welfare in line with the CAC’s directives.
We recognize the enormous responsibility placed upon us and have already commenced work. The Committee has been formally inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and the Registrar-General of the CAC, both of whom charged us to deliver on our mandate with integrity and diligence.
We have paid courtesy visits to heads of security agencies to seek their cooperation in carrying out our duties and held our inaugural meeting, where key strategic decisions were made. Our work plan will soon be unveiled for the benefit of Nigerian youth.
Additionally, the Committee joined the Honourable Minister and other key partners—including the DGs of SMEDAN, NCC, SEC, and the MD of NEXIM Bank—at the launch of the Nigeria Youth Academy Start-up Pitch 1.0, where winners received ₦1 million each to grow their businesses.
We have also received assurances from agencies such as SMEDAN and SEC to collaborate with the NYCN in rolling out youth-focused programmes that will positively impact lives nationwide. In the coming weeks, the Committee will embark on zonal consultations across the six geopolitical zones to review the NYCN Constitution and address issues affecting state chapters.
We express our profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and the Registrar-General of the CAC for their commitment to resolving the long-standing crisis in the Council and for the confidence reposed in this Committee.
We also commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his bold reforms aimed at national development, which, despite initial challenges, are already yielding positive results.
The IMC extends heartfelt appreciation to Nigerian youth for their resilience, patriotism, and peaceful conduct. We urge all youths to resist any attempt by individuals or groups to incite unrest or disrupt national peace through protests or other divisive actions.
Security agencies, youth organizations, and the general public are hereby advised to disregard any claims of leadership arising from unauthorized congresses or groups. Only the listed members of this Committee are recognized as the legitimate leadership and trustees of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
We thank you for your attention and invite your continued cooperation as we work to rebuild and reposition the NYCN for a stronger, united youth movement.
ADEOLA KUNLE
