Why we withheld Rita’s certificate, extended her service year – NYSC | Read Details
The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has denied allegations that it denied Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye her certificate but extended her service year because of her outburst against president Bola Tinubu.
Making clarification, the NYSC in a statement issued on Sunday, said her service year was extended by two months because she failed to to do her clearance for the month of April.
The statement titled “CLARIFICATION ON NON-ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF NATIONAL SERVICE TO CORPS USHIE RITA UGUAMAYE, STATE CODE NUMBER LA/24B/8325, BY THE NYSC” read in parts;
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.”
However, Rita has claimed that she was denied entrance into the office of her LGI in Eti Osa, Lagos state, which made her miss her clearance in the said month.
Recall that in March, 2025, Rita went viral for calling Tinubu a terrible president. She lamented on the harsh economy , noting that corps members spent all their 33,000 allownace on only transportation.
A week after her outburst, the Federal government implemented the N77,000 new minimum wage for corpers.
However, Rita was been bullied by NYSC officials afterwards.
Meanwhile, reacting to NYSC statement, a human rights lawyer, Inibehie Effiong wrote on X;
“The statement issued by the Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on its decision to extend the service period, and withhold the Certificate of National Service of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye (alias Raye), does not represent the truth of the matter.
I have her instructions as her counsel to respond appropriately to the statement.
History will vindicate the just.”
Omoyele Sowore wrote;
We reject the @officialnyscng’s spurious position in its entirety. Youth Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye “Raye”’s case could not and should not be dismissed as a mere “biometric clearance” issue.
This was not about paperwork. This was punishment in retaliation for her public criticism of @officialABAT’s disastrous economic policies. Silencing dissent is not service to the nation. It is a service to tyranny.
We stand with Raye; we will continue to fight against @officialnyscng until the injustice is corrected.”
Amnesty International Nigeria wrote;
“The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) must rescind its arbitrary and outrageous decision to deny Ushie Rita Uguamaye, widely known as Raye, her NYSC discharge certificate upon completion of a year of national service. Using bureaucratic tricks to extend her national service show unacceptable intolerance of dissenting voices.”
In March, Rita Ushei faced threat to life and violence for her viral TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government over unprecedented economic hardship that plunged millions of people into abject poverty.
No one should be punished for expressing dissenting opinions. Authorities have obligation to uphold and respect the right of every person to freedom of expression — without discrimination.”
