Dozens of Nigerian youths, under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), staged a protest at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, condemning the Commission’s recent decision to deregister the council. The demonstration, led by NYCN President Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, marked the start of a planned 30-day nationwide protest to demand the reversal of the deregistration and the removal of CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Registrar-General Must Go,” “Respect Court Orders,” and “Deregistration of NYCN is a Security Concern,” blocked the main entrance to the CAC headquarters, chanting solidarity songs and demanding justice. They accused Magaji of contempt of court, alleging that the deregistration was executed despite an ongoing legal dispute before the Court of Appeal.
The protest follows the Federal Ministry of Youth’s confirmation that the CAC had revoked NYCN’s registration certificate and appointed a caretaker committee to oversee its operations, even as the matter remains subjudice.
Speaking to journalists, Sukubo described the deregistration as an affront to the rule of law. “This issue has been ruled on by the Federal High Court and is currently pending before the Court of Appeal. Due legal processes must be followed before any administrative decision is implemented,” he said, vowing that the youths would sustain peaceful protests across Nigeria for 30 days until NYCN’s status is restored.
NYCN National Secretary Comrade Gara Nongha called the CAC’s decision “deeply worrisome” and demanded its immediate reversal. “The NYCN is the legitimate umbrella body representing millions of Nigerian youths. Its full registration rights must be restored without delay,” he stated.
Former NYCN Secretary-General Barrister Abubakar Suleiman emphasized that the matter was already before the court, urging compliance with judicial directives. “The Federal High Court has given clear directives, and any further steps must align with ongoing court proceedings,” he said.
In response, CAC’s Acting Registrar-General and Director of Customer Service, Julius Hanga, clarified that the deregistration was temporary and aimed at resolving outstanding issues. He assured protesters that the Commission was reviewing the situation and that NYCN’s registration would be restored once all legal and administrative matters were resolved.The protests highlight growing tensions over the CAC’s handling of NYCN’s status, with the youth council urging relevant authorities to intervene to safeguard the unity and representation of Nigerian youths.