The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has yet to respond to allegations by Lagos-based corps member Ushie Uguamaye, who claimed she was being threatened for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a viral TikTok video, Uguamaye expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, calling Tinubu a “terrible leader” and criticizing Lagos State’s living conditions. After the video went viral, she alleged that NYSC officials pressured her to delete the post.
In a follow-up video, Uguamaye said, “In less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board. Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up for my right to complain.”
She claimed that NYSC officials were trying to locate her and insisted she wouldn’t delete the video, urging the authorities to stop intimidating her.
The NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Edwin Megwa, has not responded to calls or messages regarding the matter.
Support for Uguamaye has come from various quarters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who praised her courage and likened her to historic female activists like Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti and Gambo Sawaba.
Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged President Tinubu to direct the NYSC to stop harassing Uguamaye, emphasizing that freedom of expression is a fundamental right.
While some social media users support Uguamaye’s bold stance, others have criticized her for disrespecting the government.
