Raye accuses NYSC of holding back her discharge certificate after openly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The allegation has fueled online debates over free speech, political neutrality, and corps members’ civic rights.
Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, has accused the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of withholding her discharge certificate following public criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Raye, who served in Lagos State, completed her mandatory one-year service on August 9, 2025. She claims that despite fulfilling all requirements for the scheme, she was not issued the certificate that officially marks the end of service.
Her allegation follows an earlier video in which she condemned the federal government over rising living costs, attributing hardship to the policies of the Tinubu-led administration.
While the NYSC has yet to release an official statement on the matter, its code of conduct forbids corps members from engaging in political activism during service. Observers speculate that this clause may be linked to the decision, though the connection has not been confirmed.
The incident has triggered debates on social media about free speech, civic responsibility, and the limits of political expression for corps members. Supporters argue that withholding the certificate amounts to silencing dissent, while others insist that all participants must comply with NYSC neutrality rules to maintain the scheme’s non-partisan stance.
The case remains unresolved, with both the NYSC and the Presidency yet to clarify the reasons for the certificate delay.
