The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted claims that Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, widely known as “Raye” (State Code: LA/24B/8325), was denied her Certificate of National Service due to her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a statement on Sunday, NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu described the online allegations as “false and without basis,” clarifying that the action taken against Raye was due to her absence during the April clearance exercise.
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“Contrary to these claims, Raye is one of 131 corps members whose CNS was withheld not as punishment for dissent, but for valid disciplinary reasons.
“Specifically, her service year was extended by two months because she failed to attend the April biometric clearance, as required by the NYSC Bye-Laws,” the statement read.
The scheme emphasised that such extensions are a routine disciplinary measure applied equally to all affected members, regardless of political views.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Raye, who served in Lagos State, had previously gained online attention after posting a viral video in which she spoke about soaring living costs and worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.
On Saturday, she alleged via Instagram that her certificate was withheld when she arrived to collect it alongside her colleagues. She said officials accused her of missing the April clearance, a claim she rejected.
According to her, she had attended the clearance but was repeatedly told by her Local Government Inspector (LGI) to wait. She further alleged that the LGI later refused to clear her, confiscated her file, and ordered her to leave.
 has refuted claims that Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, widely known as “Raye” (State Code: LA/24B/8325), was denied her Certificate of National Service due to her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government.){kind=link}