Outcry as NYSC extends Service Year of Corps Member Raye over viral criticism

A young Nigerian corps member, Rita Ushie, popularly known as Raye, has sparked a heated national debate after the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) extended her service year by two months.

The move came after a viral TikTok video she posted in March where she openly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government over the country’s worsening economic situation.

The decision, announced by NYSC authorities on June 24, 2025, has since drawn public condemnation and stirred discussions on free speech, youth activism, and the relevance of NYSC’s disciplinary codes.

Raye’s viral video, posted through her handle @talktoraye, captured her in tears as she lamented the rising cost of living, harsh economic conditions, and the inadequacy of the N33,000 monthly NYSC allowance in an expensive city like Lagos.

In the video, she didn’t hold back, openly expressing her frustrations and calling Lagos a “smelling state” while questioning Tinubu’s leadership.

Her blunt remarks quickly resonated with millions of struggling Nigerians dealing with skyrocketing prices following the 2023 fuel subsidy removal.

Though the NYSC did not directly link her service extension to the video, it cited “conduct unbecoming of a corps member.”

The timing of her summon to disciplinary panels at Eti-Osa Local Government and later at the Iyana Ipaja camp suggested otherwise.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who stood by Raye throughout the ordeal, condemned the extension as a “political punishment disguised as procedure,” while promising to stage a protest at her passing-out ceremony.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also praised her courage, likening her to fearless activists in Nigeria’s history.

Raye’s ordeal mirrors the frustrations of many young Nigerians who feel stifled under the weight of a shrinking economy and a system that often punishes dissent.

Supporters argue that her defiance forced the government’s hand on delayed promises, such as the increase of the corps members’ allowance to N77,000, while rights groups like SERAP demanded the NYSC reverse what it called a violation of Raye’s freedom of speech.

While Tinubu’s aide Temitope Ajayi maintained that NYSC, as a paramilitary institution, has its codes and standards, many Nigerians disagreed, arguing that the constitution protects citizens’ right to express opinions without fear of persecution.

Raye, though remorseful for calling Lagos “smelling,” stood firm on her criticism of economic hardship and the government’s failure to ease citizens’ suffering.

As the controversy grows, so does the conversation about the NYSC’s relevance in today’s Nigeria and whether young people should pay such a steep price for speaking up.

Raye’s situation has not only drawn attention to her personal plight but also highlighted broader concerns over youth rights and freedom in the country.