Osun govt suspends dealings with NYCN amid leadership crisis

The Osun State Government has suspended all official dealings with the state chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) pending the outcome of an investigation into leadership crisis and alleged mismanagement within the organisation.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, announced the decision in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, the government expressed concern over the deepening leadership feud and controversies surrounding the handling of allocated resources within the Osun NYCN, prompting the constitution of a three-man investigative committee made up of unaffiliated nominees.

Alimi said that while the investigation is ongoing, the state government has resolved to comply with a directive earlier issued by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to all ministries and stakeholders in the youth sector.

He explained that the federal ministry had withdrawn the certificate of registration of the NYCN following the decision of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and subsequently suspended engagements with the national leadership of the council due to prolonged infighting, factionalisation and internal conflicts.

“With the Osun State chapter now enmeshed in similar controversies, the state government has decided to suspend further dealings with the body pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

The government also cautioned against the politicisation of issues affecting the youth sector, assuring the public that steps had been taken to restore normalcy, transparency and accountability through established institutional mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Osun State chapter, has commended the state government for what it described as a timely and principled decision.

In a joint statement signed by its state chairman, Comrade Olayemi Olaribigbe, and general secretary, Comrade Akande Taofeeq Olawale, the group praised the government for ordering a review of previous engagements with the NYCN, setting up an independent investigative committee and implementing the directive of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

The NYC said the action demonstrated the government’s commitment to good governance, institutional integrity and the protection of the youth sector from mismanagement, factionalisation and leadership crises.

The group noted that the suspension was not punitive but a responsible step aimed at restoring credibility and public confidence in youth-focused institutions in the state.

It also commended the government for resisting attempts to politicise youth-related issues and reaffirmed its readiness to partner with the state government and other credible stakeholders to promote inclusive youth engagement, ethical leadership and sustainable youth empowerment.

“Once again, we applaud the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment for this bold and necessary step to safeguard the future of Osun youths,” the statement added.