A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member has reportedly come under pressure from the scheme’s officials after a viral video showed her criticizing President Bola Tinubu over the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
Corps Member Laments Hardship, Faces Alleged Threats
The corps member, identified on TikTok as @talktoraye, posted an emotional video condemning the current administration for the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said. “I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
Her remarks quickly gained traction online, sparking debates over free speech and the role of corps members in political discussions.
However, on Saturday, March 15, she shared another video, this time tearful, alleging that NYSC officials had contacted her with threats over her criticism of the government.
NYSC’s Position on Criticizing Government
This is not the first time the NYSC has taken a stance against corps members publicly criticizing government policies.
In 2022, then-NYSC Director-General Major-General Shuaibu Ibrahim cautioned corps members against using social media to speak against government actions.
“Let me warn you against using social media to disparage government policies,” he said during an event in Ondo State. “Rather, you should become change vanguards and work towards national unity and development.”
NYSC Delays Payment of N77,000 Allowance
Meanwhile, the NYSC has attributed delays in implementing the new N77,000 corps members’ allowance to a lack of “cash backing.” NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu confirmed the funding issue in response to media inquiries.
As the controversy surrounding @talktoraye’s viral video unfolds, it raises fresh questions about freedom of expression in Nigeria, particularly among young people serving in national programs.
