The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied reports that it extended the service year of Lagos corper, Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, because of her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that Raye gained widespread attention after she openly criticised the current administration in a viral TikTok video, describing Nigeria’s economic situation as worsening.
In the video shared on her TikTok account @talktoraye, Uguamaye expressed frustration over the country’s rising inflation and economic hardship.
She also called President Tinubu a “terrible leader” and questioned the government’s efforts to improve living conditions.
Additionally, she described Lagos State as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions.”
After the video went viral, Uguamaye posted another video alleging that NYSC officials had threatened her, demanding that she delete the initial clip.
She maintained that she had only spoken the truth about Nigeria’s situation.
Following her claims, several prominent individuals, including former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, condemned what they called threats to her safety.
Sowore, sharing a news caption that read, “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship,” declared his intention to protest at the NYSC passing out parade.
He wrote, “This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter.”
He added, “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.”
When contacted, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, explained the process for extending a corps member’s service year.
She said, “The decision to extend a corps member’s service year is made when such a person is passing out. There are guidelines that would be followed if such an action were to be taken.”
Responding directly to Sowore’s remarks, 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.”
Meanwhile, our correspondent could not independently verify the claim of service extension made by Uguamaye.
She has not posted anything related to the extension on her social media.
