The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of Ms. Rita Ushie, popularly known as Raye, by two months following her viral criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the rising economic hardship in Nigeria.
Raye, a youth corps member serving in Lagos, gained widespread attention in March 2025 after launching a 30-day social media challenge where she posted daily rants on Nigerians’ socio-economic struggles. In one of her most widely shared videos, she tearfully condemned the high cost of living, labelled the Tinubu government as “terrible,” and questioned what was being done to ease the suffering of ordinary citizens, particularly youth corps members.
Shortly after the video went viral, Raye reported receiving threatening phone calls from NYSC officials demanding she take down the post. The development sparked public outrage, with Nigerians accusing the NYSC of infringing on their right to freedom of expression.
In response to the public pressure she sparked, the NYSC quietly increased the monthly corps member allowance to N77,000.
Despite having just one month left in her service year, Raye was summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee on June 18 at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. However, she was reportedly not heard and was told to return the following week, causing further delays and financial strain.
“Upon her arrival without any formal letter, she was met by the Local Government Instructor who asked her to return the following week despite the scarce resources she burned to get there,” said Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, who has been in contact with Raye’s family.
When she eventually returned, Raye appeared before the disciplinary panel and apologised to NYSC staff, who said they had faced public backlash following her viral posts. As punishment, she was handed a two-month extension to her service year.
Previously, Raye had also been summoned to the Eti-Osa Local Government office but arrived to find the issuing official absent. At the time, she was accompanied by Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, and legal representatives.
As of this report, Naija Feminists Media attempted to reach Raye for comments, but she has not responded or made any public statement regarding the outcome of the disciplinary process.
Summary: The NYSC has extended corps member Raye’s service year by two months after her viral criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and Nigeria’s economic hardship.
