NYSC Extends Service Year Of Corps Member Who Criticized Tinubu In Viral Video

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of Ms. Rita Ushie, popularly known on Instagram as Raye, by two months—an action widely viewed as retaliation for her viral criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic conditions.

Raye, who was nearing the end of her national service, gained national attention in March after posting a tearful video on TikTok, where she lamented Nigeria’s economic hardship, blasted Tinubu as a “terrible president,” and criticized the NYSC allowance as insufficient for survival. She also described Lagos as filth and questioned the rising costs of basic necessities like eggs and transportation.

Shortly after the video went viral, Raye claimed she began receiving threatening calls from NYSC officials, urging her to take down the post. Civil rights groups and many Nigerians condemned the NYSC’s response, accusing the agency of trying to suppress free speech.

Raye was first summoned by the NYSC Local Government Inspector to appear at the Eti-Osa office, but when she arrived with human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and legal representatives, the official who issued the summons was absent. The matter then went quiet—until June 18, when she was again invited to appear before a disciplinary panel at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

After repeated delays and without a formal letter, she was informed that her service year had been extended as punishment.

Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, told CrossRiverWatch that Raye had gone to the Iyana Ipaja camp despite financial hardship, only to be asked to return. “She went there eventually, faced the panel, and apologized to the staff who felt hurt by the backlash they received from the public,” he said.

Ugbal added that Raye’s mother later called him in distress, saying her daughter broke down in tears after learning her service year had been extended by two months. “She’s not in a good frame of mind to speak,” he added.

Raye’s original video, posted on March 16, showed her voicing frustration over the soaring prices of goods, rising utility bills, and unaffordable transportation. She questioned what the government was doing to address the inflation and accused Tinubu of failing Nigerians.

“There is nothing beneficial about this NYSC scheme,” she said. “We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”

Less than a day after the video went live, Raye posted a follow-up clip revealing that NYSC officials were pressuring her to delete the post and stop criticizing the government.

The incident continues to fuel public debate over freedom of expression for youth corps members, with many Nigerians arguing that Raye’s punishment reflects a growing intolerance for dissent under the current administration.