June 25, (THEWILL) – 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 criticisms of President Bola Tinubu.
The clarification follows a wave of public reactions after Uguamaye posted a series of videos on TikTok, where she bemoaned Nigeria’s economic hardship, described Lagos as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions,” and labelled President Tinubu a “terrible leader.”
In one of her subsequent videos, Uguamaye alleged that NYSC officials had asked her to delete the content, suggesting she was being threatened for expressing her views.
She maintained that she only spoke the truth about Nigeria’s current realities.
Her claims drew widespread attention, with prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore condemning the alleged intimidation.
Sowore, in a post shared on Tuesday, reacted to a viral news caption that read, “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by two months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship.”
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 unless Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”
However, the NYSC has dismissed the reports as false and misleading. Speaking on the matter, the Acting Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC, Mrs. Carol Embu, said there was no basis for the claim.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with NYSC? So, how come people are listening to him?” she said.
She added: “I don’t understand how she would get an extension if she is still serving. NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She is still serving, and if she has any issues, we will wait and see.”
Embu reaffirmed that the NYSC has not taken any disciplinary action against Uguamaye and that all procedures within the scheme are governed by established regulations.
As of the time of this report, Uguamaye has not officially confirmed any extension of her service year.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
