Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has blasted authorities for allegedly withholding the NYSC discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a brave corps member who dared to speak out against Nigeria’s harsh economic realities, demanding urgent action to end this injustice.

Atiku, in a post on X on Sunday, called the situation alarming and hinted it may be driven by political motives.

“What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics,” he wrote.
“I hope that Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s NYSC discharge certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to complain about the economic hardship under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.”

He urged NYSC authorities to act swiftly and transparently, warning that such actions could erode public trust in national institutions.

Ushie, widely known online as Raye, completed her one-year mandatory service in Lagos State but claims she was denied her NYSC certificate during a routine collection exercise over the weekend.

In a video posted to her Instagram account, Raye revealed that while her peers received their certificates, she was told none was available for her. Officials reportedly claimed she missed her clearance in April, a claim she strongly refutes.

“I went for clearance, and my Local Government Inspector told me to wait,” she said.
“Eventually, she refused to clear me, seized my file, and asked me to leave.”

The corps member gained public attention months earlier after posting a viral video in which she criticised the rising cost of living and food inflation in Nigeria. She now believes her treatment may be connected to her outspoken views.

“After one year of serving my country, I’m being told there’s no certificate for me,” she wrote.
“I genuinely wish I wasn’t a Lagos State corper.”

As of the time of this report, the NYSC has yet to respond publicly to the allegations or provide clarification on the status of Uguamaye’s certificate.

The NYSC discharge certificate is a crucial document for Nigerian graduates, particularly those seeking employment in the public and private sectors. Denial of the certificate can have long-term consequences for recipients.

The incident has sparked a wave of reactions online, with many Nigerians accusing the NYSC of bias and calling for an investigation into the matter. Some have praised Atiku for speaking out, while others have demanded that the agency uphold the rights of corps members regardless of political expression.