NYSC extends Raye’s service by two months after she criticised President Tinubu in a viral video highlighting Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship
NYSC extends Raye’s service by two months following her viral social media video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration over rising living costs.
This follows a viral video in which she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic hardship in Nigeria.
Raye, who had only one month left in her mandatory national service, first drew national attention in March 2025 after posting an emotional TikTok video.
In the footage, she lamented the rising cost of living, described the Tinubu government as “terrible”, and accused NYSC officials of threatening her to delete the post.
Civil society organisations and many Nigerians condemned the NYSC’s reaction, accusing it of attempting to muzzle free speech.
After the initial backlash, Raye was summoned to appear before the NYSC Local Government Inspector in Eti-Osa.
However, when she showed up accompanied by rights activist Omoyele Sowore and her lawyers, the officer who issued the summons was absent.
The issue resurfaced on Wednesday, 18 June, when Raye was summoned again—this time to face a disciplinary panel at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
Despite repeated delays and lack of formal documentation, she was eventually informed that her service year would be extended as punishment.
Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, who has been in contact with Raye’s family, told CrossRiverWatch:
“Upon her arrival at Iyana Ipaja last Wednesday without any formal letter, she was met by the Local Government Instructor who spoke to her and asked her to return this week despite the scarce resources she burned to get there.”
She called crying over the phone that her service year has been extended by two months.
“She went there eventually, and she faced them, apologising to the staff who felt hurt due to the backlash they received from the public.”
He added, “Her mother called me moments ago to inform me that she called crying over the phone that her service year has been extended by two months. I have reached out to her, but she is not in a good frame of mind to speak.”
The original video, posted on her TikTok handle @talktoraye, featured the young woman in tears as she described the escalating cost of essentials.
She said she spent more than she earned from the NYSC allowance, which was no longer sufficient to meet daily needs.
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again,” she said.
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense. I literally remember when eggs cost N800.”
Raye also questioned what the government was doing to halt the continuous rise in prices, citing overwhelming electricity, security, and transportation bills. She also criticised the deteriorating sanitary conditions in Lagos, saying “Lagos stinks.”
Following the video’s circulation, Raye reported receiving calls from NYSC officials warning her against making political statements and asking her to take down the video.
The development sparked online debate over whether corps members should be restricted from expressing personal views about national governance.
Many Nigerians on social media defended her right to speak up, especially given the harsh economic realities.
Raye’s case has now become a symbol of the broader concerns around youth expression, civic rights, and the government’s handling of dissent.
