The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom has been hit by a wave of resignations following allegations of financial mismanagement.
The group’s leader, Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, announced his decision to step down amid growing criticism over the administration of the community and its finances.
The social media-based community, which boasts over 75,000 members, consists of Nigerians residing across the UK. Beyond their online interactions, members occasionally hold physical gatherings and celebrations.
Kuti’s resignation follows mounting pressure from members who questioned the handling of the group’s funds.
Other key figures, including DHK Rullah and Idris Ayinde, have also announced their intentions to leave their leadership positions.
On Thursday, Oluomo of Derby and other resigning leaders took to their respective X (formerly Twitter) accounts to disclose their decisions.
Leadership Reactions
In his resignation statement, Kuti accepted responsibility for the challenges facing the community.
“I take full responsibility for the events of the past years and the current state of affairs within the community,” he stated. “I will be stepping down as a moderator, and any official posts will now require approval from the NEB.”
He acknowledged shortcomings in transparency and accountability, emphasizing that his resignation was in the best interest of the community. However, while stepping down as president, he affirmed that he would continue to serve as a PSC (Public Service Consultant) for the organization.
Similarly, Idris Ayinde, who served as a volunteer consultant, confirmed his resignation, citing the completion of financial reports and tax filings covering the period between November 2022 and December 2024.
“My role in preparing the financial statements is now complete, and as such, I am resigning from my volunteer consultant position with immediate effect,” Ayinde stated.
Meanwhile, DHK Rullah admitted to financial missteps and pledged to reimburse funds he had received.
“I fully accept responsibility for my actions. I recognize the consequences of my mistakes and, as a step towards making amends, I will refund all the money I received,” he announced. “These repayments will be made in installments into the NIUK official account and can be verified by anyone.”
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
The controversy stems from alleged financial irregularities, which some community members have flagged as suspicious. Concerns were raised over a sharp rise in expenditures—from £9,440.41 in 2023 to a staggering £68,224.11 in 2024.
Financial records posted by the group indicate that in 2023, the community generated £36,035.55, with an additional £2,997.00 received from sponsorships and donations in 2024.
Expenses included:
• End-of-year party: £7,225.65 (2023) vs. £5,061.00 (2024)
• Community support/donations: £5,350.00 (2023) vs. £813.65 (2024)
The inconsistencies in these figures prompted outrage among members, with many demanding a thorough explanation.
One X user, Ola Dayo, questioned the drastic increase in spending, asking, “How did expenditure jump from £9,440.41 in 2023 to £68,224.11 in 2024?”
Another concerned member, Rire, called for the group’s X account to be deleted entirely due to the alleged mismanagement.
Community Backlash Persists
Despite the wave of resignations, dissatisfaction lingers within the community, as many members remain unconvinced by the leaders’ explanations.
Some leaders have even restricted access to their posts amid the growing backlash, while members continue to demand a clearer breakdown of the community’s financial activities.
While the leadership shakeup signals a shift in the community’s administration, many believe that further accountability measures are needed to rebuild trust among members.
