The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially denied allegations that it extended the service year of Lagos-based corps member Rita Uguamaye as punishment for a viral TikTok video in which she criticized President Bola Tinubu.
In a public statement, the NYSC clarified that no such disciplinary measure was taken, emphasizing that service year extensions are typically only considered at the end of a corps member’s service, not during the course of it. The agency stressed that there is no provision within its regulations for mid-service extensions based on such incidents.
Uguamaye had claimed she was threatened by NYSC officials and pressured to remove the video, which highlighted harsh living conditions in Lagos and referred to President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.” Her video quickly gained traction online, drawing criticism from some quarters and support from human rights advocates, including activist Omoyele Sowore.
Amid widespread reports suggesting she had been penalized with a two-month extension, the NYSC maintains that no such action was authorized. The situation has reignited public discourse on freedom of expression and the rights of corps members within Nigeria’s mandatory national service program.
