The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of Ms. Rita Ushie, popularly known on Instagram as Raye, by two months following her viral criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic hardship.
Raye, who had one month left in her mandatory national service, drew nationwide attention in March after posting a video lamenting the economic crisis and alleging threats from NYSC officials demanding she delete the content.
The incident was condemned by civil rights groups and many Nigerians who accused the NYSC of attempting to suppress freedom of expression.
Rita was summoned by the NYSC Local Government Inspector to appear at the Eti-Osa Local Government office.
However, when she arrived with human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore and her legal representatives, the official who issued the summons was absent.
The matter faded from public attention until last Wednesday, June 18, when Raye was summoned to appear before another disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja NYSC orientation camp in Lagos.
However, despite repeated delays, she was eventually informed that her service year had been extended as a form of punishment.
Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, who has been in contact with Raye’s family, told CrossRiverWatch, “Upon her arrival at Iyana Ipaja last Wednesday without any formal letter, she was met by the Local Government Instructor who spoke to her and asked her to return this week despite the scarce resources she burned to get there.
“She went there eventually, and she faced them, apologising to the staff who felt hurt due to the backlash they received from the public.”
“However, her mother called me moments ago to inform me that she called crying over the phone that her service year has been extended by two months. I have reached out to her, but she is not in a good frame of mind to speak,” Jonathan added.
On March 16, 2025, Raye had raised an alarm over an alleged threat from the NYSC board after she criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in a viral social media post.
The young lady, who shared her grievances on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, was seen in tears as she lamented the rising cost of goods in Nigeria.
She described the Tinubu administration as “terrible” and accused the government of neglecting the economic hardship faced by citizens.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said in the video.
“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
She further lamented the financial struggles she faced as a corps member, stating that the monthly NYSC allowance was insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
According to her, she often spent more than she earned due to the skyrocketing cost of essentials.
Following the video’s circulation, the corps member claimed she received a warning from the NYSC board, cautioning her about making political statements online.
The development triggered reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.
She said, “So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.
“The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme.
“The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Less than 24 hours after posting a video in which she called President Tinubu “terrible,” she shared another clip showing her receiving calls from an NYSC official.
The corps member further revealed that she had been receiving multiple calls from NYSC officials, urging her to stop criticising the government and delete the video.
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