The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has withheld the discharge certificate of Lagos-based corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, citing her failure to attend a mandatory clearance in April 2025.
The service has extended her service year by two months, sparking criticism from notable public figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).
Raye, who gained public attention in March after posting a viral TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic conditions, has been accused by some of being targeted for her political views.
However, the NYSC has denied any political motive. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the service clarified that Raye’s sanction was a result of her absence during April’s biometrics clearance and had nothing to do with her viral remarks.
“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.
“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.”
The NYSC insisted that the action was procedural and not personal:
“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 agency urged the public to avoid politicizing the matter and said it remained committed to fair treatment under the law.
Reacting to the development, Femi Falana described the NYSC’s decision as “overzealous” and “illegal,” arguing that no court had authorized the withholding of Raye’s certificate.
He drew parallels to a similar incident in 1988 when Bamidele Aturu’s certificate was seized for rejecting a best corps member award during a military regime.
“Indeed, it is a sad reminder of the confiscation of the NYSC Discharge Certificate of Bamidele Aturu… under the Ibrahim Babangida military junta when human rights were put in abeyance,” he said.
Falana also cited Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, and referenced President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, where the president discouraged public officials from suppressing dissent.
“The President declared, ‘While slander and libel must not go unaddressed, no one should suffer injustice for simply writing a negative report about me or calling me.’”
Falana urged NYSC to “release the NYSC Discharge Certificate of Rita Uguamaye without any further delay.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the action, suggesting it may be politically motivated.
“What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics,” he wrote on X.
“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.”
Atiku called on the NYSC and relevant authorities to immediately issue the certificate, noting that she had “served her country without queries.”
“It is unacceptable that the young lady… should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out,” he added.
