A massive protest erupted on October 9, 2025, at the headquarters of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja, as members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) condemned the recent deregistration of their organization by the CAC. More than 3,000 youthful protesters gathered, brandishing placards and chanting solidarity songs demanding the reinstatement of the NYCN’s registration certificate.
The protesters accused the CAC Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), of acting unlawfully by delisting the council despite ongoing legal proceedings. The NYCN won a Federal High Court ruling that the CAC lacked the authority to deregister the council, but a pending appeal has not stopped the Registrar-General from removing the NYCN’s name from official records and appointing an interim committee to manage its affairs.
Speaking at the demonstration, NYCN Secretary-General Barrister Abubakar Suleiman described the deregistration as a serious affront to Nigerian youths. He criticized the CAC for undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for youth development and labeled the move an administrative recklessness that threatens youth unity and progress.
The protesters demanded the immediate reversal of the deregistration and called for the removal of Registrar-General Magaji. They pledged to sustain the protest nationwide for 30 days, with similar demonstrations planned across other CAC offices until their demands are fully met.
The Corporate Affairs Commission responded by describing the deregistration as a temporary measure following a comprehensive investigation that cited prolonged leadership crises and governance violations within the NYCN. The CAC assured that once all legal and administrative issues are resolved, the NYCN would be reinstated on the official registration portal.
The protest highlights the tension between the CAC’s regulatory authority and youth groups advocating for their recognized place in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, underscoring ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and unity in youth leadership.