NYSC Reveals Why It Withheld Certificate Of Corps Member, Raye Who Criticized Tinubu

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that it withheld the certificate of Lagos corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, known online as Raye, and extended her service by two months.

The clarification follows backlash by Nigerians who alleged that NYSC’s action was politically motivated and linked to Raye’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

Raye gained attention in March after posting a viral video on her TikTok account, @talktoraye, where she complained about Nigeria’s rising inflation and worsening economic situation.

In the video, the corp member openly called Tinubu “a terrible leader” and questioned the government’s handling of the hardship faced by citizens.

In a recent Instagram video, Raye alleged that her Local Government Inspector (LGI) intentionally refused to clear her in April.

She claimed she attended the clearance exercise but was repeatedly told to “go to the back,” before the official seized her file and ordered her to leave.

Frustrated, she described her NYSC posting in Lagos as “a waste of time” and said she had decided to move on.

Responding in a statement on X, the NYSC said Raye (State Code: LA/24B/8325) was penalized for missing the April 2025 biometric clearance, not because of her political comments.

The service stressed that such extensions are a standard penalty for missing clearance and are applied to all corps members in similar situations, without exception or political bias.

The statement reads, “CLARIFICATION ON NON-ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF NATIONAL SERVICE TO CORPS USHIE RITA UGUAMAYE, STATE CODE NUMBER LA/24B/8325, BY THE NYSC

“The NYSC Management wishes to a clarify misleading information circulating on social media regarding Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, State Code number LA/24B/8325.

“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.

“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.

“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 NYSC Management thus urges the public to approach this matter with understanding, as extending service for non-compliance is a longstanding tradition within the NYSC and should not be politicized.

“The NYSC Scheme remains committed to discharging its mandate, inline with the dictates of the constitution. Nigeria is Ours; Nigeria We Serve.”

KanyiDaily recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had praised the courage and intelligence of Raye Ushie Uguamaye for speaking out against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.