My Life is Great With or Without Certificate – Ushie Rita Responds to NYSC Management

A serving corps member in Lagos State, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has openly criticized the management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), declaring that her life remains fulfilling and successful even without the scheme’s Certificate of National Service (CNS).

Speaking during a live session on her official TikTok page alongside friends, Ushie alleged that the NYSC was attempting to project an image of being “unshakeable” while, in her view, it was their officials who were guilty of breaking established rules.

“Before now, I did not have that certificate, yet my life was already great. NYSC is insisting on not giving me the certificate. They are trying to act as though they cannot be challenged, but the truth is their own people are the ones violating the rules. I am no longer interested in the certificate,” she stated during the session.

When asked further whether she would comply with the two-month service extension reportedly imposed on her, Ushie declined to give a direct response, saying she was not ready to address that question at the moment.

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NYSC Responds to Claims

Meanwhile, the NYSC has dismissed widespread social media reports claiming that Ushie was denied her CNS because she made critical remarks about the Nigerian government.

In an official statement, the scheme categorically described the allegations as entirely false, clarifying that the decision to withhold her certificate was due to valid disciplinary grounds and had no political undertones.

According to NYSC, Ushie was among 131 corps members nationwide whose certificates were withheld for various infractions during their service year.

In her particular case, the management explained that her service year had been extended by two months because she failed to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance exercise. The NYSC emphasized that this sanction was consistent with the organization’s bye-laws, which stipulate extensions as penalties for certain breaches.

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Background to the Controversy

LMSINT MEDIA recalls that in March 2025, Ushie had expressed frustration over the high cost of goods and living expenses in Nigeria, directly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for neglecting the escalating cost of commodities.

In the viral video that drew public attention, she remarked:

“If many Nigerians can come out and begin speaking openly about what we are enduring, maybe the government will be forced to make changes. I just want to say to our president— I don’t know if there has ever been another president as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”

Her blunt comments sparked heated debates online, with supporters praising her courage and critics accusing her of being disrespectful to constituted authority.