A FRESH controversy is unfolding in Nigeria as a viral video by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member has ignited a wider debate on economic hardship, free speech, and government tolerance for criticism.
The Explainer gathered that Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, found herself at the centre of a national discussion after she publicly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over rising living costs.
Her emotional video, posted on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye, went viral over the weekend, capturing the frustrations of many Nigerians struggling under the weight of economic reforms.
However, what started as a personal expression of hardship quickly escalated into a heated controversy, with Raye claiming she received threats from NYSC officials instructing her to delete the video.
Raye’s now-viral video paints a bleak picture of the realities many Nigerians face. She lamented the skyrocketing prices of basic goods, stating,
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense. I literally remember when eggs cost N800.”
She further decried the high cost of transportation, utilities, and the general cost of living, questioning what the government was doing to address the crisis.
Her sharpest words were directed at President Tinubu, whom she described as a “terrible leader,” adding, “The government should start listening to the people instead of ignoring our suffering.”
The Explainer learned that shortly after posting the video, Raye received calls from NYSC officials, allegedly pressuring her to take it down.
In a follow-up clip, she revealed a tense phone conversation with an official who reportedly chastised her, saying, “Are you normal? Pull down that rubbish you put there.”
Raye claimed that she was being intimidated and warned that her personal details were known by the authorities.
The Explainer gathered that the NYSC has now officially summoned Raye to its local government office in Lagos. A message from her Local Government Inspector (LGI) instructed her to appear at the Eti-Osa 3 NYSC office by 10 a.m. on Monday without fail. While the NYSC has yet to release a public statement on the matter, its swift response has raised concerns about whether corps members have the right to voice their opinions on governance.
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The incident has sparked widespread public debate, with many Nigerians questioning the limits of free speech under the current administration. Some argue that Raye’s outburst reflects the genuine frustrations of ordinary citizens, while others believe that criticism should be expressed more constructively.
As the controversy grew, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stepped in to call for restraint.
The Explainer gathered that TUC President Festus Osifo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, defended Raye’s right to express frustration, stating, “People are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. If they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.”
Osifo, however, advised critics to maintain a level of decorum when addressing government policies, cautioning that excessive attacks on leadership could derail meaningful discourse.
“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function—what does she really have to do to bring down government? It is about personal frustration that she has aired,” he noted.
International rights organisation Amnesty International also condemned the alleged threats against Raye, warning that Nigeria’s democratic values must not be undermined. In a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, the organisation asserted, “The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions—in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime.”
Raye’s outburst is a symptom of a larger economic struggle faced by Nigerians, particularly young people. The Explainer learned that the inflation In January 2025, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 24.48%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Food inflation, a critical component of the index, was recorded at 26.08% year-on-year in January 2025.
The average price of 1kg of brown beans (sold loose) escalated to ₦2,738.59 in September 2024, marking a 281.97% rise from ₦716.97 in September 2023. Similarly, a dozen medium-sized agric eggs saw a 137.43% increase, climbing from ₦1,047.47 to ₦2,487.04 over the same period.
