Скачать или смотреть Nigerian Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, Appeals NYSC Service Extension for Corps Member Rita Uguamaye

Lagos, Nigeria | September 6, 2025– Renowned Nigerian human rights activist, social commentator, and litigation lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has escalated a legal battle on behalf of Ms. Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, filing an administrative appeal with President Bola Tinubu on September 4, 2025. The appeal challenges the NYSC’s decision to extend Uguamaye’s mandatory service year by two months, a move Effiong describes as “unlawful” and politically motivated.

The controversy traces back to March 2024, when Uguamaye, known as Raye, gained national attention after a viral video criticizing President Tinubu’s administration over corps members’ welfare, including inadequate stipends and safety concerns. The NYSC subsequently extended her service term, citing disciplinary issues, a decision Effiong argues violates her constitutional rights to freedom of expression and fair hearing.

In a detailed letter addressed to the President and copied to the NYSC Director-General and the National Human Rights Commission, Effiong invoked Section 20 of the NYSC Act, which mandates an initial appeal to the Presidency before judicial action. The lawyer highlighted a three-week delay in NYSC’s response to an earlier petition submitted on August 12, 2025, prompting the current appeal. “We are hoping President Tinubu will act in line with justice and the rule of law,” Effiong stated in his X post, accompanied by images of the official documents.

Uguamaye’s case resonates with broader concerns about NYSC conditions. A 2023 University of Lagos study revealed that 68% of corps members face financial and safety challenges, lending credence to her original complaints. However, the appeal to Tinubu—the target of her earlier criticism—has sparked mixed reactions. Some X users praise Effiong’s adherence to due process, while others question the likelihood of a favorable response from the Presidency, with comments suggesting political bias or inaction.

Effiong, known for high-profile cases including a 2022 contempt imprisonment and a 2020 suit against the Nigerian government’s Twitter ban, remains undeterred. The appeal demands the immediate issuance of Uguamaye’s discharge certificate and warns that failure to act could be seen as presidential endorsement of NYSC’s alleged victimization.

As of today, no official response has been issued by the Presidency or NYSC. Legal experts speculate that if the appeal is ignored, the matter may proceed to court, potentially setting a precedent for corps members’ rights. This developing story will be closely monitored as Nigeria grapples with governance and youth welfare debates.