See Why NYSC Extended Corps Member Raye’s Service After She Criticised Tinubu’s Government

TrendCast June 25, 2025

See Why NYSC Extended Corps Member Raye’s Service After She Criticised Tinubu’s Government

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of Instagram personality and corps member, Rita Ushie, popularly known as Raye, by two months following her viral video criticizing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.

Raye, who had just one month remaining in her service year, gained national attention in March after she posted an emotional video on TikTok, expressing frustration over the skyrocketing cost of living and the struggles faced by corps members surviving on the NYSC allowance. In the clip, she labeled the Tinubu-led government as “terrible” and questioned its efforts to tackle inflation and insecurity.

The video, which resonated with many Nigerians, quickly sparked conversations online. However, it also drew the attention of NYSC officials. According to Raye, she began receiving calls from officials, urging her to delete the video and desist from making further public criticisms of the government.

Initially summoned to the Eti-Osa Local Government NYSC office, Raye arrived with human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and legal counsel, only to find the official who invited her absent. The situation escalated further last week when she was again summoned—this time to the Lagos Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja—where she was eventually informed of her extended service year.

Jonathan Ugbal, the South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, said the disciplinary process lacked formal communication and was emotionally distressing for Raye.

“Her mother called me crying. Raye was in tears. She was simply expressing the hardship many young Nigerians are facing, and now she’s being punished for it,” Ugbal said.

Raye had earlier explained that her intention was never to incite political unrest but to draw attention to the lived reality of ordinary Nigerians. “Why am I buying a crate of eggs for ₦6,500? I remember when it was ₦800. Transport alone is swallowing our monthly allowance. Even Uber is ₦25,000!” she lamented in her original video.

She also pointed out the poor sanitation in Lagos, saying, “The city smells. What is the government doing about it? There’s nothing really beneficial about this NYSC scheme anymore.”

Critics have described the NYSC’s decision as an attempt to suppress free speech and silence dissent among young Nigerians. Human rights advocates are calling for the reversal of the extension and better protection for corps members who raise legitimate concerns.

The NYSC is yet to issue an official response to the controversy, but the incident has reignited debate about the relevance of the scheme, freedom of expression, and the treatment of young Nigerians under public institutions.

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