The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has refuted claims that Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye,” was denied her Certificate of National Service (CNS) for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement on Sunday, NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu described the allegations as false, stating that Raye’s certificate was withheld for failing to attend the April biometric clearance.
“Contrary to these claims, Raye is one of 131 corps members whose CNS was withheld not as punishment for dissent, but for valid disciplinary reasons. Specifically, her service year was extended by two months because she failed to attend the April biometric clearance, as required by the NYSC Bye-Laws,” the statement read.
The NYSC stressed that such extensions were standard procedure, applied uniformly to all corps members who miss required clearances, with no political motive involved.
Raye, who served in Lagos State, had earlier gained public attention for a viral video lamenting rising living costs. On Saturday, she alleged on Instagram that NYSC officials refused to release her certificate, claiming she missed her April clearance — an assertion she disputes.
She maintained that she reported for the clearance but was repeatedly told to wait by her Local Government Inspector, who later refused to clear her, seized her file, and ordered her to leave the office.