The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that it did not extend the service year of Lagos-based corps member Rita Uguamaye, also known online as Raye, because of her criticism of President Bola Tinubu.

A few months ago, Raye became popular online after she spoke out against the government, blaming it for the rising hardship in the country.

She also made headlines for describing Lagos as a city with a bad smell and poor living conditions, which drew mixed reactions online.

After her video went viral, Raye shared another clip on TikTok, saying she was being threatened by NYSC officials because of what she had said earlier.

On Tuesday, June 24, reports began spreading online that her NYSC service had been extended by two months as punishment.

Well-known activist Yele Sowore shared the news, claiming Raye’s service was extended because of her comments on Tinubu and the economic situation in Nigeria.

Sowore promised to protest at the NYSC Passing Out Parade if the alleged punishment was not reversed.

He wrote that the Tinubu government might get into deeper trouble over how Raye’s NYSC issue is being handled and warned that action would be taken unless she is allowed to finish her service freely.

But the NYSC has responded to the reports. The acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, said the claims about a service extension are false.

According to Punch, Embu explained that NYSC decisions like service extension are only made when a corps member is about to complete their service year — and Raye is not yet at that point.

She stressed that NYSC has clear rules and that no such decision has been made regarding Raye.

When asked about Sowore’s claims, Embu questioned his role in the NYSC and why people were believing his statements. She made it clear that NYSC operates by established guidelines and does not make random decisions.

In her words, “She is still serving. If there is a problem, we will handle it when the time comes. NYSC follows procedures.”