Human rights crusader and former presidential hopeful Omoyele Sowore stormed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, rallying supporters to fight for the release of ex-corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s completion certificate. Known affectionately as “Raye,” the young graduate has become the face of a brewing controversy, with accusations flying that her certificate was unfairly withheld, not for any real infraction, but potentially as retaliation for her outspoken views.
Sowore, flanked by prominent figures including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who serves as Raye’s legal counsel descended on the Maitama office to spotlight what many are calling a blatant abuse of power. The group vowed not to back down until Raye receives her hard-earned Certificate of National Service (CNS), which she insists was denied due to bureaucratic obstruction rather than legitimate grounds.
Taking to his X account to rally the masses, Sowore announced the mission with unyielding determination: “At 9 am tomorrow, we will return to the NYSC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, to collect the Discharge Certificate for Corp Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye ‘Raye,’ who has successfully completed her mandatory service.” The post quickly went viral, amassing thousands of shares and comments from Nigerians demanding accountability from the NYSC.
The drama unfolded further during a heated X Space session hosted by Sowore, where Raye shared her harrowing experience. She accused a Local Government Inspector (LGI) officer named Veronica of deliberately blocking her from completing the crucial biometric clearance in April 2025. “I went to the LGI center in April to complete my biometric exercise, but the official on duty refused to let me proceed, even though I submitted the same documents I had provided in previous months for clearance,” Raye recounted, her voice laced with frustration. “Despite informing the officer that my submissions were standard, including a clearance letter from my primary assignment, she dismissed me and ordered me out of her office.”
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Raye later received a summons from the NYSC, alleging she skipped the April biometric entirely, a claim she vehemently denies. Feeling ambushed, she explained during the Space event: “When I was called by the jury, they didn’t listen to me or consider my side of the story.” She slammed the organization for failing to conduct thorough investigations before leveling accusations, leaving her in limbo and extending her service year unnecessarily.
The NYSC, however, has pushed back hard against the narrative. In a statement issued on Sunday, the management dismissed swirling social media rumors as “entirely unfounded and false,” insisting that Raye’s certificate was withheld purely for disciplinary reasons tied to her alleged absence from the mandatory biometric clearance. Officials emphasized that this was not linked to any critical comments Raye may have made about President Bola Tinubu’s administration, despite speculation fueling the viral storm.
According to the NYSC, Raye is one of 131 corps members facing similar consequences, with her service year now extended by two months as a penalty. But Sowore argues this is emblematic of deeper systemic issues, where young Nigerians are punished for speaking truth to power or simply falling victim to administrative malice.
As the protest gains momentum, calls for transparency and justice are echoing across platforms, with hashtags like #FreeRayesCertificate and #NYSCInjustice trending nationwide. Will the NYSC bow to public pressure and release the document, or will this escalate into a larger battle for corps members’ rights? Stay tuned as this story unfolds, highlighting the raw tensions between youth service obligations and individual freedoms in Nigeria.
