The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied extending the service year of a corps member in Lagos, Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, after she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Raye gained attention online after she posted a video on TikTok where she spoke about the rising cost of living and described President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.” She also called Lagos a “smelling state” and complained about the poor living conditions.

After her video went viral, she released another video saying NYSC officials were pressuring her to delete the post and that she was being threatened. However, the NYSC did not respond to this claim.

Following her comments, several people including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore spoke out against the alleged threats. Sowore, reacting to an online report claiming her service year had been extended as punishment, said he would protest at the NYSC passing out parade if she wasn’t allowed to finish her service peacefully.

Sowore wrote, “This matter might cause trouble for the Tinubu government. We will protest unless Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC without problems.”

When asked about the situation, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, said no decision about extending a corps member’s service can be made until they are about to pass out. She added that the organisation follows clear rules.

“Who is Sowore? He doesn’t work with NYSC. NYSC is a serious organisation. She’s still serving, and if there’s any issue, we’ll handle it by the rules,” Embu said.

At the time of this report, Rita Uguamaye had not confirmed on her social media that her service year was extended, and the claim has not been independently verified.