Ukorebi Esien | February 7, 2026
CALABAR — The Cross River State Ministry of Youth Development has broken its silence on the lingering supremacy tussle between the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), reaffirming government's official position on youth leadership and recognition in the state.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Ijom Ukam, made this clarification while responding to questions from journalists shortly after the 2026 NYCN Solemn Assembly, held on Saturday at the Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu Youth House, Calabar.
The supremacy dispute, which has generated intense debate across social and traditional media, revolves around competing claims by both organisations to the status of umbrella youth body in Cross River State.
In December 2025, the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) declared all activities of the NYCN illegal within the state, alleging that the youth council had been suspended at the national level and stripped of its Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration. The group further warned youths against participating in NYCN programmes and events.
In response, the NYCN Cross River chapter, cautioned the public against what it described as "fake youth bodies," insisting that it remained the legally recognised umbrella organisation for youths and accusing rival groups of misleading the public.
The crisis had earlier drawn the attention of youth stakeholders in July, 2025, with calls for restraint, constitutional adherence, and dialogue to prevent further fragmentation of the youth constituency in the state.
Speaking to journalists, Barr. Ukam explained that the Ministry recently convened a meeting involving leaders of the youth bodies to address the matter administratively and clarify government's position.
According to him, the Ministry of Youth Development operates strictly on official correspondence and directives from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, stressing that no such directive has been received mandating the recognition of any youth body other than the NYCN as the umbrella youth organisation in Cross River State.
"As of today, we do not have any official communication from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development directing us to recognise any other youth body. Until such correspondence is received, the status quo remains," the commissioner stated.
He added that government remains law-abiding and will comply with any future directive issued by the appropriate federal authority, noting that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development usually communicates such decisions formally to states for domestication.
Barr Ukam who thanked the leadership of the youth council for keeping up with excellence, sir each time he visits the youth house he sees, class me excellence. Adding that the youth council have grown in maturity and packaging. He also expressed satisfaction with the solemn assembly put together by the youth council, believing that seeking the face of God in the beginning of the year will set the council on the parth of success this year.
"Each time I come in here, I see class and excellence, the youth council has been organized, and it's a thing of joy to me as the Honorable Commissioner for youths Cross River State. The solemn assembly is a spiritual exercise that will set the council on the parth of success this year." He said
The youth commissioner, further advised all youth organisations operating in the state to take steps to regularise and validate their legal status, stressing that the ministry has no prejudice against any group but must be guided by due process.
The commissioner said the Ministry will issue an official statement next week to formally restate its position and guide youth groups and the general public.
The clarification is expected to ease tensions within the youth space and prevent misinformation, while reinforcing government's commitment to institutional order, unity, and constructive youth engagement in Cross River State.
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