The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed claims that it withheld the discharge certificate of a Corps Member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, in retaliation for her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon, the NYSC said the allegation making the rounds on social media was “entirely unfounded and false in its entirety.”
“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,” the statement read.
The Corps explained that Raye was among 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for “valid disciplinary reasons,” stating that her service year had been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometrics clearance.
“This extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case, and the principle of equal treatment was only applied in this case,” NYSC said, stressing that the decision was in line with its bye-laws.
The agency urged the public to avoid politicising the matter, adding, “Extending service for non-compliance is a longstanding tradition within the NYSC and should not be politicised. Nigeria is Ours; Nigeria We Serve.”
LEADERSHIP reports that Raye made headlines earlier this year for a viral TikTok video where she criticised Tinubu’s administration, and described Lagos as “smelling.”
The Corps member and lamented inflation, economic hardship, and poor living conditions under the current administration.
She alleged in a fresh Instagram video on Saturday, that her Local Government Inspector (LGI) deliberately refused to clear her in April.
Raye further claimed she was present for clearance but was repeatedly told to “go to the back” before the official seized her file, refused to attend to her, and ordered her to leave.
“I genuinely wish I wasn’t a Lagos State corps member because it’s a waste of my time,” she wrote, adding that she had decided to “close the chapter and move on.”
Human rights activist and SaharaReporters’ publisher, Omoyele Sowore accused the NYSC of punishing Raye for her criticism.
“It is with deep sadness and renewed outrage that I address the ongoing injustice against Raye,” Sowore wrote on Facebook. “We will not stop until we achieve victory not just for her, but for every Nigerian denied their rights by an oppressive system.”
He credited her activism with allegedly pressuring authorities to raise corps members’ monthly allowance to ₦77,000, calling the withholding of her certificate “an injustice of the highest order.”
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised Raye’s “courage”, comparing her to legendary women activists Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also weighed in, warning against silencing critics, while the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged President Tinubu to order the NYSC to stop harassing her.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) president, Festus Osifo, also defended her right to free expression, saying her comments “reflected public frustration and should not be met with retaliation.”
However, former presidential aide Reno Omokri took a different stance, advising corps members to focus on their service duties and remain apolitical.
In March, Sowore alleged that the Eti-Osa LGI abandoned her office after summoning Raye, despite his arrival with lawyers.
This was after Raye claimed she was receiving threats from NYSC officials to delete the video, noting that they had access to her personal details.
