Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, the incumbent President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Northern Nigeria, particularly its youth, for their unwavering support during his tenure.
Speaking at the North-West Consultative Meeting in Kano State on Thursday evening, September 18, 2025, Sukubo appealed for a renewed mandate ahead of the NYCN National Elective Congress, scheduled from September 19 to 22, 2025.
Sukubo highlighted the pivotal role Northern Nigeria has played in his leadership journey within the NYCN. “Since joining the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the entire North has been my pillar of support, providing me with the strength and momentum to climb different ladders of leadership,” he said. He credited the trust and confidence of the region’s government and youth for enabling significant strides in youth development and empowerment across the country.
Seeking re-election for another four-year term, Sukubo pledged to build on the achievements of his first term. “I am here today to appeal to the North-West in particular and the entire North by extension,” he stated. “I cannot take your goodwill and support for granted. That is why I have come to you today, appealing for your support and mandate once again.” He emphasized his deep ties to the North, noting that many of his appointees in the NYCN are Northerners and that his personal and professional activities frequently revolve around the region.
A key highlight of Sukubo’s tenure is the recent revalidation of affiliated VYOs, a bold initiative he described as a testament to his commitment to strengthening the NYCN. Previous administrations avoided this exercise due to its potential to spark crises, but Sukubo’s leadership tackled it head-on. “I decided to take the bull by the horns,” he said, explaining that the revalidation was essential to align the NYCN with its constitution and regulatory requirements, such as Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration. The exercise has significantly boosted the organization’s credibility and network, with the North-East now boasting 18 VYOs, the North-West 35, and the North-Central 31.
Sukubo’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Kano State Government, represented by Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, commended his dedication to youth empowerment. During a courtesy visit to the commissioner’s office, Kwankwaso praised Sukubo’s impactful leadership and expressed the state’s commitment to partnering with the NYCN and other organizations to advance youth development, given Kano’s significant youth population.
At the consultative meeting, North-West stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in both Sukubo’s leadership and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. They pledged to deliver all delegate votes from the zone to Sukubo at the upcoming congress, signaling strong regional support for his re-election bid.
As the NYCN Elective Congress approaches, Sukubo’s campaign is gaining momentum, fueled by his track record and the goodwill of Northern Nigeria. His focus on integrity, resilience, and strategic initiatives like the VYO revalidation positions him as a frontrunner to continue leading Nigeria’s apex youth body.
The consultative meeting, hosted by the Kano State Chapter of NYCN in collaboration with the state government, drew a diverse group of attendees, including government representatives, NYCN stakeholders from the North-West geopolitical zone, members of the National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, Management Committee, and the Forum of State Chairmen from the seven North-West states. Zonal leaders and heads of Voluntary Youth Organizations (VYOs) from the region were also present.
