NYSC LGI Absent After Summoning Corps Member Over Viral Anti-Tinubu Video

The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Eti Osa, Lagos State, was noticeably absent on Monday after summoning a corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, over a viral TikTok video in which she criticised President Bola Tinubu and lamented the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and a team of lawyers accompanied Rita to the NYSC office for the scheduled meeting. However, upon arrival at the Eti Osa NYSC office, the LGI who had issued the summons was not present. Sowore, providing updates via his X (formerly Twitter) account, stated that the group waited but the official failed to show up throughout their stay. He affirmed their intention to return, using the hashtag #RevolutionNow and reiterating his view that Tinubu is a “terrible president.”

The corps member, known online by her handle @talktoraye, gained widespread attention after posting an emotional video in which she described the unbearable cost of living, saying her monthly NYSC allowance could not cover basic needs. In the video, she questioned why a crate of eggs now costs as much as N6,500 and expressed frustration over rising prices and transport costs, which she said far exceed her government stipend.

She also openly criticised President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible person” and questioning what the government was doing to address the country’s economic challenges. The video quickly went viral, drawing both sympathy and backlash. Within 24 hours, Rita alleged that she was contacted by NYSC officials who pressured her to take down the video and later revealed that she was being threatened and made to feel unsafe, especially as the officials had access to her personal information.

Rita insisted that she did not insult the president but simply expressed her opinion, and voiced concern over how speaking up against the government seemed to attract intimidation. The NYSC’s handling of the matter has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians debating whether corps members have the right to freely express their views on political and national issues.