The leadership of a prominent Nigerian community group in the United Kingdom has been thrown into turmoil following a wave of high-profile resignations triggered by allegations of financial mismanagement and poor governance.
The group, which boasts over 75,000 members and serves as a hub for Nigerian expatriates, has been rocked by a deepening crisis after an exposé by Sahara Reporters on its official X handle. At the heart of the controversy are claims of financial irregularities, a staggering surge in expenditures, and a breakdown in leadership trust.
At the center of the storm is the group’s president, Mr. Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, who announced his resignation on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter). In a statement acknowledging his failures, Kuti cited mounting criticism over the handling of the community’s finances and governance as reasons for his departure.
> “I take full responsibility for the turn of events over the years and the current unsettling state of the community,” he wrote.
“I regret my lack of absolute accountability and transparency.”
In what appears to be a desperate attempt at damage control, Kuti also pledged to facilitate a formal leadership transition, promising to hand over the presidency to a newly elected leader at the appropriate time.
Kuti’s exit was swiftly followed by the resignations of other senior executives, including DHK Rullah and Idris Ayinde, further deepening the crisis.
Ayinde, who served as a volunteer financial consultant, made a dramatic exit, stating that with the group’s financial statements and tax filings now completed, his role was over.
> “The executives and directors are responsible for preparing financial statements that accurately reflect the company’s or community’s financial position and activities,” Ayinde said.
“With the financial statements and tax filings for the community now completed for the periods 22/11/2022 to 30/11/2023 and 1/12/2023 to 31/12/2024, I am officially resigning from my volunteer consultant role with immediate effect. My job here is done!”
Meanwhile, Rullah, facing pressure over financial discrepancies, accepted responsibility and vowed to refund all the money he received.
> “I take full responsibility for my actions. I understand that my mistakes have consequences, and as a concrete step toward making amends, I will refund every penny I received,” Rullah stated.
“The repayments will be made in installments to the NIUK official account, and anyone will be able to verify them once completed. This is the least I can do to show my remorse and commitment to fixing the harm caused.”
The crisis erupted after members raised concerns about suspicious financial transactions within the community. Many were alarmed when financial reports revealed that the group’s expenditure skyrocketed from £9,440.41 in 2023 to a staggering £68,224.11 in 2024—a nearly 620% increase.
Further scrutiny exposed questionable spending patterns:
Income: The group generated £36,035.55 in 2023 and received an additional £2,997.00 from sponsorships, partnerships, and donations in 2024.
Community Support and Donations: Funds allocated for community assistance dropped sharply from £5,350.00 in 2023 to a mere £813.65 in 2024, raising suspicions.
End-of-Year Party Expenses: In December 2023, the group spent £7,225.65, yet in 2024, the same party’s cost was recorded at £5,061.00, prompting questions about financial inconsistencies.
As outrage grew, community members demanded answers, with some taking to social media to call for a full forensic audit.
Members Demand Accountability Amid Leadership Meltdown
One of the most vocal critics, an X user identified as Ola Dayo, questioned the exponential rise in expenses and demanded explanations for missing funds.
> “How did expenditure jump from £9,440.41 in 2023 to £68,224.11 in 2024? Who approved these expenses? Where did the money go?”
He also flagged discrepancies in the group’s financial records, asking:
> “Why is the December 2023 end-of-year party expense listed in the 2024 account?”
“What exactly are ‘other administrative expenses,’ and why haven’t they been broken down?”
Meanwhile, another frustrated member, Rire, called for the community’s X account to be deleted, signaling a total loss of faith in the leadership.
As backlash intensified, some leaders locked their social media accounts, while members continued pressing for greater transparency and an independent audit of the past two years’ financial records.
Despite the wave of resignations, many members remain unconvinced about the sincerity of these moves. While some see the resignations as a step toward restoring accountability, others believe it is merely an attempt to quell the backlash without addressing the deeper issues of financial misconduct and governance failures.
As the embattled community struggles to restore trust, questions linger: Will the leadership transitions bring genuine reforms, or is this just another smokescreen to shield those responsible?
With the Nigerian UK Community (NIUK) at a crossroads, the coming weeks will determine whether the group can salvage its reputation—or if this scandal will mark the beginning of its collapse.
PIONEER NEWS 