A growing A growing storm is brewing around the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as Raye, a corps member who recently went viral for publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of the economy, has alleged that the scheme is refusing to release her NYSC discharge certificate despite her successful completion of the mandatory one-year service.
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Raye, whose bold social media video lamenting the hardship faced by young Nigerians gained widespread attention earlier this year, took to her platforms again to share her frustration. In a heartfelt post, she claimed that she had fulfilled all service requirements, attended all necessary programs, and received clearance from her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), yet the NYSC has withheld her certificate without providing any official explanation.
“I served my country faithfully for a whole year under harsh economic conditions,” Raye wrote. “I reported for duty, participated in all the community development projects, and even endured the hunger and transportation struggles. Now, when it’s time to hand me the one document that proves I completed my service, they are playing games. Is this because I spoke up about the suffering in Nigeria?”
Her statement has triggered a wave of public debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether her outspoken remarks about President Tinubu’s administration may have played a role in the NYSC’s decision. Some have accused the scheme of political bias and retaliation, while others argue that there may be administrative or procedural issues unrelated to her activism.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the NYSC have so far been unsuccessful. The scheme’s public relations department has not issued any formal statement addressing Raye’s specific case, though sources within the organization have hinted that certificates can be withheld for reasons such as incomplete documentation, unresolved disciplinary matters, or pending clearance from certain departments.
However, Raye maintains that none of these issues apply to her situation. She insists that her record is clean and that the only unusual factor in her service year was the viral video in which she criticized government leadership. That video, in which she passionately decried rising prices, unemployment, and lack of opportunities for Nigerian youth, was widely shared and discussed, earning her both praise and backlash.
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about freedom of speech, political expression, and potential abuse of power in public institutions. Human rights advocates have called on the NYSC to provide a clear and transparent explanation, warning that the matter could set a dangerous precedent if corps members fear that speaking their minds could jeopardize their service records.
On social media, the hashtag #GiveRayeHerCertificate is beginning to trend, with supporters urging the NYSC to act swiftly and restore her certificate. Several legal professionals have also offered pro bono assistance should the situation escalate into a formal legal dispute.
As tensions rise, Raye says she remains determined to fight for what she believes is her right. “I won’t be silenced,” she declared in a follow-up video. “If they think withholding my certificate will scare me, they’re wrong. I served my country. I earned it. And I will get it.”
Whether this standoff will be resolved quietly or become a full-blown public confrontation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Raye’s battle for her NYSC certificate has now become a symbol of a much larger struggle in Nigeria—one that touches on youth empowerment, accountability, and the price of speaking truth to power.
is brewing around the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as Raye, a corps member who recently went viral for publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of the economy, has alleged that the scheme is refusing to release her NYSC discharge certificate despite her successful completion of the mandatory one-year service.
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