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NYSC Member Who Criticised Government Alleges NYSC Withheld Her Certificate
Months after making national headlines for boldly criticising the Nigerian government during her Passing Out Parade (POP), popular former corps member, widely known as Corper Raye, has alleged that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) withheld her discharge certificate despite completing her one-year mandatory service. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Raye first rose to fame earlier this year when a video of her POP speech went viral on social media. In the clip, she openly expressed her dissatisfaction with the government, lamenting the harsh realities faced by Nigerian youths, from unemployment to inflation and poor governance. While many praised her courage, others accused her of disrespecting the service scheme and the government it represents.
The Dispute Over April Clearance
Speaking on the incident via her social media pages, Raye claimed that her current ordeal began when NYSC officials accused her of failing to complete her monthly clearance for April. According to her, this accusation was false, as she was present at the Local Government Secretariat on the scheduled day to complete the process.
She alleged that the Local Government Inspector (LGI) in charge repeatedly asked her to “go to the back” of the line, delaying her clearance indefinitely. After hours of waiting, she claimed the LGI eventually seized her file and instructed her to leave the premises without explanation.
“I was there. I was ready to clear. But they made sure I didn’t,” Raye said in frustration. “They took my file and told me to go. I already know how this will end, and it’s just a waste of my time.”
Denial of Certificate
Raye revealed that during her Final Clearance at the end of her service year, she was informed that she would not be issued her NYSC discharge certificate due to the alleged April clearance default. She described the move as “unjust” and a deliberate attempt to punish her for her earlier outspokenness against the government.
For many corps members, the NYSC certificate is not just a symbol of service but also a vital requirement for securing certain jobs, pursuing further studies, or even participating in public service recruitment. Losing it can significantly affect one’s career prospects.
“I’m Moving On”
Despite her disappointment, Raye said she has decided to put the matter behind her and focus on the future.
“It’s painful, but I’ve decided to close this chapter. I won’t let them frustrate me any further,” she said.
However, her story has sparked renewed conversations online about alleged corruption, abuse of power, and lack of accountability within the NYSC. Many Nigerians took to social media to express sympathy and outrage, while others urged the scheme to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Public Reaction
Supporters of Raye argue that her experience highlights the vulnerability of corps members to arbitrary decisions by local officials, especially when there is no transparent complaint resolution process. They also warn that such incidents can discourage future corps members from speaking out about societal issues.
As of the time of this report, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement addressing Raye’s claims.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to the balance between freedom of expression and disciplinary rules within the NYSC scheme — and whether speaking truth to power comes at too high a personal cost.