The National Youth Service Corps has refuted claims that it extended the service year of Lagos corps member Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, following her viral criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Uguamaye gained widespread attention after a video she posted on her TikTok account (@talktoraye) lamenting Nigeria’s economic hardship went viral.
In the clip, she described Tinubu as a “terrible leader” and questioned the government’s efforts to address citizens’ suffering. She also called Lagos State a “smelling state” and condemned its “poor living conditions.”
After the video circulated online, Uguamaye posted another video alleging that NYSC officials had threatened her and demanded she take down her criticism.
While the NYSC did not initially respond to her claims, her allegations drew condemnation from figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore, sharing a news report on Tuesday that claimed “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship,” vowed to protest at her passing-out parade.
“This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter,” Sowore wrote. “This is not acceptable, we will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”
However, according to The PUNCH, when contacted, NYSC’s acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, dismissed the claims, stating that decisions on service extensions are made only when a corps member is due for discharge.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? So, how come you are listening to him? 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 the time of filing this report, the claim of an extension could not be directly linked to Uguamaye, as the NYSC maintains that no punitive action has been taken against her.
