NYSC Extend Rita Ushie’s Service Year Over A Viral Video
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Rita Ushie, popularly known as Raye on Instagram, has had her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year extended by two months as punishment following a disciplinary panel review—months after she posted a viral video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic hardship.
Raye, who had only one month left in her service, became the subject of public discourse in March when she revealed she was being pressured by NYSC officials to take down the video.
After the matter went quiet, she was unexpectedly summoned to the Iyana Ipaja orientation camp in Lagos on June 18, where, without a formal letter, she was told her punishment would be an extension of service.
According to the Take It Back Movement, which has supported Raye, the decision was communicated verbally after she had travelled again at her own cost to face a second panel. Her family says she is devastated.
The case raises fresh questions about freedom of expression, accountability within public institutions, and whether NYSC has gone beyond its mandate in punishing a young woman for voicing economic frustration felt by millions of Nigerians.
Should NYSC punish corps members for criticising government policies? Is this an abuse of power or just maintaining discipline?
