By joshua 
Bola Tinubu Urged to Remove Youth Minister Over Alleged NYCN Crisis, Alleged Exploit of Seyi’s Name
The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Babangida Onimisi Isah, has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the immediate removal of the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, over allegations of interference in the affairs of the apex youth body.
In the petition addressed to the President through the Chief of Staff, the NYCN President accused the Minister of actions allegedly capable of destabilizing the unity of Nigerian youths and undermining the constitutional structure of the Council.
According to the petition, the crisis began following moves by stakeholders to end the prolonged leadership tenure of former NYCN President, Sokubu Sara-Igbe Sokubu, who was alleged to have remained in office for about seven years beyond acceptable democratic practice.
The petition stated that a management meeting held on August 7, 2025, at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja, and reportedly represented by ministry officials, resolved to dissolve existing parallel leadership structures and establish a National Transition Committee (NTC), a Congress Planning Committee (CPC), and an Electoral Committee to oversee a fresh national congress.
It further claimed that the Minister later inaugurated the NTC, thereby recognizing the transition arrangement. It also alleged that barely 48 hours to the scheduled congress, the Minister unilaterally ordered its cancellation despite preparations already concluded by stakeholders.
Despite the directive, NYCN stakeholders reportedly proceeded with the congress on October 10, 2025, at the National Centre for Women Development, where a new National Executive Council (NEC) was elected, producing Babangida Onimisi Isah as President. Notably, the congress, was attended by state chapter representatives, affiliate voluntary youth organizations, and security agencies, while also initiating a constitutional review process for the Council.
The petition accused the Minister of continuing to undermine the legitimacy of the elected NEC by allegedly promoting parallel leadership structures and fostering division among youths across the country.
Of particular concern raised in the petition was the alleged mention of Seyi Tinubu in the ongoing NYCN dispute. The petitioner claimed the Minister had linked Seyi Tinubu to the crisis, warning that such allegations could negatively affect his youth mobilization efforts in support of the current administration.
The petition also referenced the deregistration of the NYCN by the Corporate Affairs Commission over disputes involving the Board of Trustees. It explains that an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was subsequently established jointly by the Ministry and the Commission strictly to oversee BOT matters temporarily, however, comr Babangida alleged that the IMC had since exceeded its mandate by functioning as a parallel NEC and interfering in the administration of the Council.
The NYCN President further claimed several attempts to engage the Minister and resolve the crisis amicably had failed. Consequently, the petition called on President Tinubu to order the removal of the Minister, institute an independent investigation into the NYCN crisis, and strengthen youth inclusion and engagement within government.
The petition was also copied to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Senate Committee on Youth Matters.