The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied reports that it extended the service year of a Lagos-based corps member, Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, as punishment for her viral social media criticism of President Bola Tinubu and the prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria.
The clarification comes amid growing public attention and political commentary following Uguamaye’s viral TikTok videos, in which she decried the country’s economic situation, described Lagos as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions,” and referred to President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.”
After the video went viral, Uguamaye posted another video on TikTok to alert the public that the NYSC authorities were allegedly threatening her, a claim that was not commented on by the authorities.
She claimed that some officials of the NYSC were asking her to delete the video, while she insisted that she had only spoken the truth about the country’s situation.
Following her allegations, several individuals, including ex-Vice President Abubakar Atiku and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, condemned the alleged threat to her life.
Sharing a news caption on Tuesday that read, “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by two months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship,” Sowore vowed to protest at the NYSC passing out parade.
Sowore wrote, “This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter. 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, when contacted, the Acting Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC, Mrs. Carol Embu, dismissed the claim of an extension, saying that no such decision had been made.
She disclosed that there are guidelines that would be followed if such an action were to be taken.
Embu said, “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. 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 Guardian found out that Uguamaye had not posted any updates or confirmations regarding a service year extension on her social media platforms, and no official NYSC document or statement confirmed the punitive
