The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied reports that it extended the service year of Lagos-based corps member, Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, as punishment for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye recently went viral after sharing a video on her TikTok account, @talktoraye, where she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s economic conditions, lamenting inflation and worsening hardship. In the video, she described President Tinubu as a “terrible leader” and criticised the government's response to citizens' suffering. She also referred to Lagos State as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions.”
Following the video’s circulation, Uguamaye claimed in another TikTok post that she was being threatened by NYSC officials and pressured to delete the video. She insisted she was only speaking the truth. The NYSC did not officially respond to those allegations.
The development attracted widespread attention, including reactions from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who condemned the alleged threats. Sowore, sharing a headline alleging Raye’s service year had been extended by two months as punishment, vowed to protest at the NYSC Passing Out Parade if the corps member wasn’t allowed to complete her service unimpeded.
“This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter,” Sowore said, promising mass mobilisation.
In response, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, dismissed the extension claims, clarifying that service year decisions are only made at the point of passing out, based on set guidelines.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? So, how come you are listening to him?” Embu asked. “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, Uguamaye had not confirmed any service extension on her social media, and independent verification of the claim remained unavailable.
ADEOLA KUNLE
