The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sanctioned Rita Ushie, popularly known as Raye, over her viral comment about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
It’s important to recall that Raye made headlines in March 2025 after expressing her frustration with Nigeria’s economic hardship and criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye had described President Tinubu’s administration as “terrible,” citing the rising cost of living and accusing the government of neglecting the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
Following the viral remarks, the NYSC summoned her to a disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja orientation camp in Lagos. There, she was informed that her service year would be extended by 60 days as a consequence of her comments.
This decision was upheld despite Raye’s public apology and the fact that she had just one month left to complete her service. The sanction has since drawn criticism from civil rights organizations and activists, who argue it infringes on
In a show of support, prominent human rights activists Omoyele Sowore and Festus Ogun have thrown their weight behind Raye, strongly criticizing the NYSC’s decision. They described the sanction as a blatant violation of her right to free speech and an affront to democratic principles. Both activists emphasized that expressing dissatisfaction with government policies should not attract punitive measures in a democratic society.
