Garba Mohammed
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted allegations that Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, widely known as “Raye” (State Code: LA/24B/8325), was denied her Certificate of National Service for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu described the viral claims as “false and unfounded,” insisting that the decision to withhold Raye’s certificate stemmed from a breach of service regulations. According to Embu, Raye was among 131 corps members sanctioned for valid disciplinary reasons—specifically, for failing to attend the April biometric clearance as stipulated in the NYSC Bye-Laws.
“Her service year was extended by two months due to this infraction. This is a standard procedure, applied without political considerations, and similar sanctions have long been enforced for such cases,” the statement read.
The NYSC further stressed that the disciplinary action was in line with its principle of equal treatment, with no exemption or special targeting involved.
Raye, who served in Lagos State, had gained public attention months earlier after a viral video in which she lamented Nigeria’s rising cost of living and economic hardships.
On Saturday, she claimed on Instagram that she was unfairly denied her certificate when she went to collect it alongside other corps members. She alleged that, despite presenting herself for April clearance, her Local Government Inspector repeatedly told her to wait, eventually refused to clear her, seized her file, and ordered her to leave the office.
The NYSC maintains that her case followed established disciplinary procedures, while Raye continues to dispute the official account.