UN Clears Gbajabiamila, Disowns Adeyemi Over Alleged Youth Office Appointment
8/9/20261 min read
The United Nations has distanced itself from Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew over his alleged appointment to a position within the UN Youth Office, saying he has no appointment, employment or affiliation with the organisation.
The UN Youth Office also clarified that Adeyemi was never authorised to represent the office or the United Nations in any capacity.
The clarification was contained in a letter dated July 27, 2026, with reference number UNYO-2026-0017, issued by the United Nations Youth Office and released through Nigeria's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.
The letter followed a request by Nigeria's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, dated July 1, 2026, seeking clarification on Adeyemi's purported appointment and documents allegedly associated with the position.
In its response, the UN Youth Office stated that Adeyemi "holds no appointment, employment, or affiliation of any kind with the Office" and had never been authorised to represent it.
The development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, who said the communication had resolved questions surrounding Adeyemi’s alleged appointment and documents linked to it. The controversy had also sparked allegations of forgery involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over documents reportedly connected to Adeyemi’s purported appointment. However, Ibrahim said the UN clarification had effectively exonerated Gbajabiamila from the allegations, maintaining that the official communication established that Adeyemi had no appointment or formal relationship with the UN Youth Office. According to the envoy, the UN’s position should put the controversy in proper perspective and end claims portraying Adeyemi as an appointee or representative of the organization. Ibrahim urged the media and members of the public to rely on official communications from the United Nations and other competent authorities when reporting matters concerning international appointments. He warned that reliance on unverified claims could fuel misinformation and cause reputational damage to individuals and institutions. The envoy stressed that the latest communication represents the official position of the UN Youth Office regarding Adeyemi’s alleged appointment.