The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted claims that it extended the service year of Lagos-based corps member Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, as a punitive response to her criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Uguamaye recently went viral on social media after posting a TikTok video under the handle @talktoraye, in which she condemned Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, describing Lagos State as “smelling” and lamenting poor living standards. She also branded President Tinubu a “terrible leader,” questioning his government’s capacity to alleviate widespread hardship.
Following the backlash generated by the video, Uguamaye claimed in a subsequent post that she was being threatened by NYSC officials and pressured to take down the content. However, the NYSC did not officially respond to these allegations at the time.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged on Tuesday alleging that the NYSC had extended Uguamaye’s service year by two months in retaliation for her remarks. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, reacting to the development, condemned the alleged move and threatened to stage a protest during the next NYSC Passing Out Parade.
“This Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s NYSC matter,” Sowore wrote in a post. “We will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade unless Rita is allowed to complete her national service without let or hindrance.”
However, speaking to journalists on Tuesday, NYSC Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, denied any punitive extension of Uguamaye’s service year. She clarified that such decisions are only made at the end of a corps member’s service, based on established disciplinary guidelines.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC?” Embu queried. “The NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we operate within rules and regulations. Rita Uguamaye is still serving. If there are any issues, they will be addressed at the appropriate time.”
At the time of this report, Newsbulletin Nigeria could not independently verify claims of a service extension. Uguamaye herself has not posted any confirmation regarding the alleged NYSC action on her social media platforms.
