Dozens of Nigerian youths under the banner of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) staged a protest at the headquarters of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja on Thursday, demanding the immediate reversal of the council’s deregistration and the removal of the Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN.
Led by NYCN President, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, the protest marks the beginning of a 30-day nationwide demonstration aimed at pressuring the CAC to reinstate the council’s corporate status. The deregistration came amid an ongoing legal dispute, prompting accusations from the protesters that the action amounts to contempt of court.
Displaying placards with messages such as “Registrar-General Must Go,” “Respect Court Orders,” and “Deregistration of NYCN is a Security Concern,” the demonstrators blocked the main gate of the CAC headquarters, chanting solidarity songs and calling for justice.
Sukubo, speaking to journalists at the protest site, condemned the CAC’s action as an affront to the rule of law.
“This matter is already before the Court of Appeal, following a prior ruling by the Federal High Court. It is unlawful and provocative for the CAC to deregister NYCN while legal proceedings are still ongoing,” he said.
He vowed that the youth body would not be silenced, adding, “We will continue our peaceful protests across the nation until the NYCN’s registration is restored. This is not just about legality; it is about protecting the voice and representation of millions of Nigerian youths.”
NYCN National Secretary, Comrade Gara Nongha, described the deregistration as “deeply troubling” and urged the CAC to reverse the decision without delay.
Former Secretary-General of NYCN, Barrister Abubakar Suleiman, echoed these concerns, emphasising that the legal process must be respected.
“The Federal High Court has issued directives on this case. Any further administrative action must be suspended until the matter is fully resolved in court,” he said.
In response, CAC’s Acting Registrar-General and Director of Customer Service, Julius Hanga, addressed the protesters, assuring them that the deregistration was a temporary measure.
“We are not out to silence the youth. The Commission is currently reviewing all legal and administrative aspects of the case. Once the issues are clarified, NYCN’s registration can be restored,” Hanga said.
The protest comes in the wake of the Federal Ministry of Youth’s confirmation that the CAC had revoked NYCN’s certificate and appointed a caretaker committee—moves the NYCN insists are both premature and unlawful.
The standoff is the latest in a series of disputes between youth groups and government agencies, raising concerns about civic space, legal compliance, and youth representation in national affairs.
