The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, witnessed heightened attention on Tuesday morning as human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, arrived with a group of activists to demand the immediate release of the discharge certificate belonging to corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”
Sowore, who is well-known for his consistent advocacy against political injustice and human rights abuses, was joined by respected human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong. Effiong is not only a frontline activist but also serves as Raye’s official legal representative in the matter.
The two, accompanied by other concerned citizens, walked into the NYSC premises shortly after 9:00 a.m., determined to ensure that Raye’s service year is properly concluded without what they describe as “administrative victimisation.”
The move came less than 24 hours after Sowore, through his X (formerly Twitter) account, announced his plan to physically appear at the NYSC headquarters alongside other activists. His post read: “By 9am tomorrow, we will resume at the Maitama Abuja HQ of the National Youth Service Corps @officialnyscng to receive the Discharge Certificate of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye ‘Raye,’ who has successfully concluded her compulsory service.”
Sowore emphasised that the case was not merely about one individual but about ensuring that every Nigerian youth who serves the country through the NYSC scheme is treated fairly and in accordance with the law. He vowed that the “injustice” allegedly meted out to Raye would not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
Raye, who recently concluded her one-year national service, had earlier taken to social media to accuse the NYSC management of deliberately withholding her discharge certificate as punishment for her criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. She alleged that her strong remarks against certain government policies had placed her in the bad books of some officials.
Her claim quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing outrage and accusing the NYSC of political bias. The matter sparked wider conversations about freedom of expression, political tolerance, and the impartiality of government institutions.
In response to the public outcry, the NYSC issued an official statement on Sunday, firmly rejecting Raye’s version of events. The management described her claim as “entirely unfounded and false,” insisting that the decision to withhold her certificate had nothing to do with her political views or criticism of the federal government.
According to the NYSC, Raye’s certificate was withheld strictly on disciplinary grounds. She was identified as one of 131 corps members across the country whose Certificates of National Service were delayed due to “valid infractions” committed during the service year.
The agency explained that in Raye’s case, she failed to attend the mandatory biometric clearance exercise in April 2025 — a critical requirement under the NYSC Bye-Laws for all serving corps members. The consequence, the NYSC said, was an automatic two-month extension of her service year.
The statement read in part: “Rita is among the 131 corps members whose Certificates of National Service were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons. Specifically, Rita’s service year has been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance, a decision that aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws. It is important to note that this extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case, and the principle of equal treatment was only applied in this case.”
The NYSC stressed that the measure was a routine enforcement of its regulations and not a personal or politically motivated act.
Despite the NYSC’s clarification, the case has continued to attract public attention, largely because of Raye’s popularity on social media and the involvement of high-profile activists like Sowore and Effiong. Critics of the NYSC argue that, regardless of the official explanation, the incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of corps members’ records and disciplinary processes.
On the other hand, defenders of the NYSC maintain that rules must be applied uniformly and that public figures should not receive preferential treatment simply because of their social influence.
The standoff between Raye and the NYSC is now seen as a test case for how the scheme balances discipline with the protection of individual rights. Activists say they will continue to monitor the situation until the discharge certificate is released, while the NYSC maintains that it will stick to its stated regulations.
With both sides holding firm to their positions, it remains to be seen whether a resolution will come through compliance with NYSC’s procedural requirements or through sustained public pressure and legal advocacy.