The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed claims that it withheld the discharge certificate of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye,” because she criticised government policies.
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In a statement issued on Sunday, the scheme described the allegation as “entirely unfounded and false in its entirety,” stressing that its decision was based purely on disciplinary grounds. NYSC explained that Raye’s service year was extended by two months after she missed the April 2025 biometrics clearance, a violation of its bye-laws.
According to the NYSC, the extension is a standard procedure for all affected corps members and is not connected to her social media posts or opinions. “We remain committed to upholding our constitutional mandate and ensuring the rules apply equally to everyone,” the statement read.
However, Amnesty International has accused the NYSC of targeting Raye for her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies online. The human rights group described the action as “unacceptable intolerance of dissenting voices” and urged authorities to end what it called abuse of power against citizens who speak out.