The Forum of State Chairmen of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has endorsed the re-election bid of the Council’s incumbent President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, ahead of the National Elective Congress scheduled for September.
In a communiqué issued after their meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State and signed by Amb. Abdulsalam Abdulquadri Olusegun, Chairman of Chairmen’s Forum (Chairman of Oyo State Chapter), Comr.Shamsu Ibrahim Shamo, Secretary of Chairmen’s Forum (Chairman Katsina State Chapter) and Comr.Kokoriko Raphael PRO, Chairmen’s Forum (Chairman Bayelsa State Chapter), the state youth leaders praised Sukubo’s “visionary and exceptional leadership,” emphasizing his inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and participatory style. They commended his relentless efforts in advancing youth interests, pledging to mobilize widespread support across the 36 states and the FCT to secure his victory and enable him to further his achievements in youth development, national cohesion, and nation-building.
The Forum clarified that while it has endorsed Sukubo, the democratic process of NYCN remains open to all eligible aspirants, stressing that ambition from any part of the country will not be hindered.
Additionally, the Forum supported the amended NYCN Constitution ratified in Port Harcourt, describing it as the foundation of the Council’s governance. They pledged to oversee its implementation in their respective states and urged affiliated voluntary youth organizations to study and adopt its provisions.
The Forum also commended the report of the Affiliation and Revalidation Committee, which validated 83 out of 104 voluntary youth organizations as eligible NYCN members, urging these revalidated groups to work collaboratively with the Council under Sukubo’s leadership. They pledged continued support to strengthen their capacity and effectiveness in promoting youth empowerment.
Expressing confidence in the election committees appointed by the National Management Committee, the Chairmen noted that the Congress Planning Committee and National Electoral Committee—comprising representatives from the six geopolitical zones—would conduct a transparent, fair, and credible congress.
They further urged all NYCN leadership organs, including the National Executive Council, Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, and others, to work together to promote youth empowerment and harness collective potential for national development.
The Forum emphasized that their endorsement of Sukubo does not exclude anyone with ambition from any part of the country from contesting for the presidency of the National Youth Council, reaffirming that the democratic process remains open to all qualified aspirants.
They also endorsed the recent constitutional amendments ratified at the annual National Congress in Port Harcourt. The amendments aim to strengthen the structural framework of the NYCN, improve operational efficiency, and foster the holistic development and empowerment of Nigerian youth, considering current issues affecting young people.
The Forum stressed the importance of strict adherence to the amended Constitution, which it described as the cornerstone of NYCN governance and operations.
The youth leaders praised the report of the Affiliation and Revalidation Committee, which was recently adopted and ratified at the Port Harcourt congress, validating 83 of 104 voluntary youth organizations as eligible members. They called on these organizations to work collaboratively with NYCN under Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe’s leadership to achieve shared goals. The Chairmen’s Forum also pledged to support these youth organizations in enhancing their capacity and effectiveness to promote youth development and empowerment.
