NYSC Official Blocked My Biometric Clearance Despite Providing Valid Documents, Corps Member, Rita Uguamaye, Laments Sabotage

The National Youth Service Corps member at the centre of a dispute over her withheld discharge certificate, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has narrated the experience, which led to her being unable to complete her clearance in April.

Speaking on X Space, organised by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Sunday, she accused her Local Government Inspector (LGI) officer, identified as Veronica, of denying her the right to carry out her biometric exercise.

"I was at the LGI centre in April to carry out my biometric exercise and the LGI official on duty refused to allow me do that despite the fact that I submitted the documents I usually submitted in previous months for the clearance,” she said.

"Despite the fact that I told the officer that what I submitted is what is usually needed, including a clearance letter from my place of primary assignment, she did not listen. Instead, she told me to get out of her office, and that was what happened."

She noted that the NYSC later invited her over claims that she did not carry out her biometric for April 2025. According to her, she was not given a fair hearing.

"When the jury called me, they did not even listen to me, they did not want to hear what I had to say," she said.

She expressed disappointment that proper checks were not done before the NYSC issued a statement accusing her of missing her biometric exercise.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the NYSC said the Certificate of National Service (CNS) of the corps member, also known as Raye, was withheld due to her failure to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance, not because of any critical remarks she made about President Bola Tinubu's government.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the NYSC Management described as “entirely unfounded and false” the claims circulating on social media that the certificate was withheld due to her criticism of the government.

The NYSC stated that Rita was among 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.

According to the NYSC, her service year was extended explicitly by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance.

"Rita is among the 131 Corps Members whose Certificates of National Service (CNS) were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons. Specifically, Rita’s service year has been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometrics clearance, a decision that aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws,” it said.

“It is important to note that this extension is a standard procedure and not unique to her case, and the principle of equal treatment was only applied in this case.”

The NYSC Management urged the public to approach the matter with understanding, stressing that extending service for non-compliance is a longstanding practice within the NYSC and should not be politicised.

Earlier, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the NYSC for withholding Rita’s discharge certificate.

"What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics. 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 said in a short statement on X.

"It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out.

"The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate."

His comments came as Amnesty International also condemned the decision to withhold her certificate.

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore also condemned the decision, vowing to continue the fight until justice is served. He accused the authorities of targeting Raye to silence her criticism and suppress public dissent.

Sowore credited Rita’s courage with pushing the NYSC to increase corps members’ monthly allowance to ₦77,000, pledging: “We will not abandon her. Her fight is our fight.”

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