Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has announced plans to lead a protest on Tuesday against what he calls the unfair treatment of corps member and content creator, Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Sowore says the protest is in response to NYSC’s alleged decision to withhold Uguamaye’s discharge certificate because of her outspoken criticism of the government. In March, Raye posted a viral video describing President Bola Tinubu as a “terrible leader,” lamenting poor living conditions in Lagos, and dismissing the NYSC programme as “not beneficial.” While the comments drew mixed reactions, she later apologised, saying her remarks about Lagos had been misunderstood.
Last week, Uguamaye revealed that NYSC refused to release her certificate, claiming she missed her April clearance — a delay she blames on her local government inspector’s refusal to sign her attendance. NYSC, however, insists her service year was extended by two months for missing the April 2025 biometric clearance, noting she was among 131 corps members penalised.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Sowore accused the NYSC of punishing Uguamaye for her political views. “She is the only one who spoke up against the president and was denied her certificate. We have a clear nexus between what she said and her punishment,” he said, urging Nigerians to join the protest.
On NYSC’s claim that Uguamaye failed to complete her clearance, Sowore argued she had proof she tried to fulfil the requirement but was blocked. “She went there to do the clearance, but they refused,” he added.
