National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed claims that it extended the service year of a corps member in Lagos, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, as punishment for her criticism of the federal government.
The controversy began earlier this year when Ms. Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, gained attention after a viral TikTok video in which she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration and described Lagos as a ‘smelling state.’
In a fresh social media post, the corps member alleged that she was being victimised for her comments. She claimed that during the April 2025 clearance exercise, her Local Government Inspector repeatedly told her to “go to the back” until her file was seized.
She alleged that the official later refused to attend to her and ordered her to leave, leading to her being marked absent for that month.
According to Ms. Uguamaye, she was subsequently informed that her National Service discharge certificate would not be issued because she missed the April clearance, an accusation she strongly denies.
“I genuinely wish I wasn’t a Lagos State corps member because it’s a waste of my time,” she wrote, adding that she has decided to move on from the matter.
The issue drew political attention when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed concern over the development yesterday on his official Facebook page.
He questioned why Ms Uguamaye had not received her discharge certificate one year after passing out, warning that the matter should not be politicised and urging the NYSC to release her certificate if she had served without queries.
Atiku said; “What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics. I hope that Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s NYSC discharge certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to complain about the economic hardship under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
“It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out. The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate,” he said.
However, responding to the public outcry, NYSC’s director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, issued a statement clarifying the situation.
She explained that Ms Uguamaye’s case was one of 131 in which Certificates of National Service were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.
According to the NYSC, Rita’s service year was extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance, a sanction in line with the NYSC bye-laws. The management stressed that service extension for non-compliance is a standard procedure and not unique to her case.
“The NYSC Management wishes to clarify misleading information circulating on social media regarding Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, State Code number LA/24B/8325.
“Contrary to false claims that she was denied a Certificate of National Service (CNS) due to critical remarks about the government, this assertion is entirely unfounded and false in its entirety.
“Rita is among the 131 Corps Members whose Certificates of National Service (CNS), were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons. Specifically, Rita’s service year has been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometrics clearance, a decision that aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws.
“It is important to note that this extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case, and the principle of equal treatment was only applied in this case.
“The NYSC Management thus urges the public to approach this matter with understanding, as extending service for non-compliance is a longstanding tradition within the NYSC and should not be politicised,” she added.
Earlier on Saturday, a human rights advocate and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised NYSC for what he termed a “gross injustice” against corps member after she was denied her final discharge certificate last Thursday.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Sowore pledged unwavering support for the activist. “We had promised to fight for her justice, and that promise remains unbroken,” he wrote.
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