The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied allegations that it extended the service year of Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, as punishment for her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Lagos-based corps member recently gained widespread attention online after posting a viral video on her TikTok account (@talktoraye) in which she openly condemned Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting high inflation and hardship.
In the video, she labelled President Tinubu a “terrible leader” and questioned the government’s ability to improve citizens’ lives. She also described Lagos State as a “smelly state” with poor living conditions.
Following the viral post, Uguamaye released another video claiming that NYSC officials were pressuring her to delete the video, and she alleged she had received threats, though the NYSC did not officially respond to those claims.
The controversy drew reactions from public figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore, who condemned any form of intimidation.
Sowore reacted to a circulating headline that read: “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship.”
In a social media post, Sowore stated:
“This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter… We will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade, except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”
However, speaking to the press on Tuesday, June 25, Carol Embu, Acting Director of Press and Public Relations at NYSC, denied the allegation.
She explained that service year extensions are not determined while a corps member is still serving, and that NYSC follows due process and regulations.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? I don’t understand how she will get an extension if she is still serving,” Embu said.
“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see.”
As of press time, Rita Uguamaye had not confirmed on her social media platforms that her service year had been extended, and independent verification of such a decision could not be obtained.
