The tension between the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Moshood Olagunju and the Osun State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria over rice palliatives and alleged misappropriation took a messy turn on Saturday as the Council accused the Commissioner of collecting bribes and kickbacks on every approved funds for it.
InsightLinks gathered that the tension commenced in the earlier last week over 20 bags of rice given to the ‘youth constituency’ by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The rice, tagged new year package was handed over directly to the chairman of NYCN, Olakolupo Olusegun Akinbode by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye without passing through the Ministry of Youth, a move that allegedly angered the Commissioner.
Call for Accountability
Following the tension between the Commissioner and the NYCN chairman, several groups allegedly loyal to the Commissioner started calling out Olakolupo to immediately account for how the 20 bags of rice were distributed.
The first call was from the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, YAN. Speaker of the group, Dare Fatomide challenged the rationale behind the move by the SSG to hand over the rice to the NYCN, calling for immediate public explanation.
“We demand that the Hon SSG, provides a public explanation as to why a package meant for youths was allocated to a single organization without the consent of the Ministry of Youth. This explanation should be provided within seven (7) working days, commencing from Friday, January 2, 2026, to Monday, January 12, 2026.”
NYCN accuses Commissioner of kickbacks
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Rafiu Olayemi, the youth council debunked allegation of misappropriation of both the rice and N25m leveled against its leadership.
Olayemi clarified that the council never got any N25m since it came on board, accusing the Commissioner of always taking kickbacks called “settlement” on every money meant for the organization.
The statement partly read, “For the sake of transparency and to correct misinformation being circulated, NYCN Osun State hereby presents a clear breakdown of all funds received from the Osun State Government through the Ministry of Youth Affairs for the entire year:
1. Grants
Government Grant: ₦2,000,000
Ministry of Youth Affairs demand and settlement : ₦500,000
2. Town Hall Meeting
Approved Amount: ₦2,500,000
Ministry of Youth Affairs demand and settlement : ₦500,000
3. Citizenship & Leadership Training
Approved Amount: ₦5,000,000
Ministry of Youth Affairs demand and settlement : ₦500,000
4. International Youth Day (IYD) 2025
Proposal approved : 11,900,000
Government approved: 24,000,000
Ministry release: ₦6,000,000
Mobilization : ₦1,500,000
Total Funds Received by NYCN Osun State: ₦17,000,000 as against fake #25,000,000 spread on social media by some group
NYCN Osun State has fully accounted for these funds, and detailed expenditure reports are available and attached for verification. We challenge the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs to publicly present credible evidence of his claim that NYCN received ₦25,000,000, as such claims are false and misleading.
Yuletide and Ileya Rice Distribution
NYCN Osun State acknowledges and appreciates the support of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke , for the provision of 20 bags of rice as part of the Yuletide welfare package for youths in the state. The rice was officially handed to NYCN, and in the spirit of fairness and inclusiveness, it was distributed to all affiliated organizations. Notably, even non affiliated groups, including the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), NIGERIAN YOUTH CONGRESS, CCNC who are not affiliate member of the council benefited from this gesture.
For the record, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs was the first official contacted upon receipt of the rice, and evidence of this communication is available. Despite assuring us he would revert, it was surprising and disappointing that the Commissioner later released a press statement attacking NYCN, rather than engaging constructively.
It is also on record that rice meant for youths during the Ileya festival was shared directly by the Ministry, even though such welfare interventions are intended for youth bodies through NYCN. More disturbing is the Ministry’s recent demand that NYCN disclose whether it received any form of government token, an action that clearly oversteps its supervisory role.
Allegations of Interference and Factionalization
NYCN Osun State strongly condemns ongoing attempts by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs to interfere in the internal affairs of the Council and to factionalize the body through surrogates and loyalists. Such actions are contrary to the National Youth Policy, which guarantees the independence and free operation of the Youth Council.
We wish to caution all parties, including YAN, to refrain from being used as instruments to destabilize the NYCN. NYCN remains a peaceful organization committed to democratic engagement and youth development, not conflict.
Clarification on Citizenship & Leadership Training in Lagos
The Citizenship and Leadership Training Programme held in Lagos was successfully executed after the Ministry of Youth Affairs received its stipulated share of ₦500,000. The balance of the approved funds was duly released to the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, and was strictly utilized to sponsor youth delegates for the programme in line with its original purpose.
It is important to place on record that the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Moshood Olagunju, also nominated and sponsored his own delegates to participate in the same leadership training programme in Lagos after the Ministry had received its share. This clearly confirms that the programme was inclusive, transparent, and beneficial to all stakeholders.
NYCN Osun State affirms that all financial transactions, delegate lists, payment records, attendance confirmations, and other supporting documents relating to the Lagos leadership training are intact and readily available for public scrutiny. We therefore welcome any genuine call for accountability, as all evidences are prepared for public consumption.
Call to the State Government
NYCN calls on the Osun State Government to “urgently intervene and call the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs to order. His continued actions, driven by personal interests, risk igniting unnecessary crises among youths in the state.”
Commissioner, aides decline comments
Calls and message to the phone number of the Commissioner were not responded to while some of his aides reached by InsightLinks declined comments on the matter.
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