Global rights group, Amnesty International, has urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to immediately release the discharge certificate of corps member Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye,” accusing the scheme of punishing her for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty described the NYSC’s decision as “unacceptable intolerance of dissenting voices” and an attack on free speech.
“The NYSC must rescind its arbitrary and outrageous decision to deny Rita Ushei, widely known as Raye, her discharge certificate after completing her service. Withholding her certificate may not be unconnected with her social media comments on Nigeria’s economic hardship,” the group said.
Amnesty maintained that it was within Raye’s right to peacefully express dissatisfaction with government policies, warning authorities to stop using “abuse of power and intimidation” against citizens who speak out.
Raye had in March posted a viral TikTok video where she tearfully lamented the rising cost of living, accusing President Tinubu of failing to tackle inflation. She also criticised the NYSC allowance as inadequate to meet basic needs.
Her comments sparked threats, with NYSC officials reportedly calling and warning her to delete the video. Amnesty said such intimidation violated both the Nigerian constitution and international human rights law.
Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore also condemned the NYSC, vowing to stand by Raye. He credited her courage with pushing the scheme to raise corps members’ allowance to ₦77,000, insisting, “Her fight is our fight.”
Raye’s troubles began after the NYSC extended her service by two months in what rights groups described as punishment for her criticism.
Amnesty said millions of Nigerians were facing worsening hardship and should not be silenced for speaking the truth.
