The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially denied reports that it extended the service year of Lagos-based corps member, Rita Uguamaye, as retribution for her viral TikTok video criticizing President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement released by the agency, the NYSC clarified that no disciplinary action was taken against Uguamaye and reaffirmed that service year extensions are only considered during the passing-out phase—not in the middle of the service year.
Uguamaye had earlier claimed that NYSC officials intimidated her and pressured her to delete the video, in which she decried the difficult living conditions in Lagos and described President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.” The video quickly went viral, sparking online debates and drawing support from human rights advocates, including activist Omoyele Sowore.
Despite reports from several media platforms alleging that she was subjected to a two-month service extension, the NYSC maintains that no such directive was issued.
The incident has reignited national conversations around freedom of speech and the rights of corps members within Nigeria’s mandatory youth service program.
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