In a dramatic show of civil resistance, renowned human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore stormed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja's Maitama district on Tuesday, leading a fiery protest demanding the immediate release of corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye's (Raye) withheld discharge certificate.
The fiery demonstration saw Sowore joined by prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong - who serves as Raye's legal counsel - and dozens of youth activists who formed a human barricade at the NYSC complex, chanting solidarity songs and bearing placards with inscriptions like "Justice for Raye" and "NYSC Stop Victimization".
This confrontation followed Sowore's social media declaration on Monday where he vowed: "By 9am tomorrow, we will resume at the NYSC HQ to receive the Discharge Certificate of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye 'Raye', who has successfully concluded her compulsory service" - a post that mobilized his considerable activist network to action.
At the heart of the dispute is Raye's allegation that the NYSC is punishing her for criticizing President Bola Tinubu's administration during her service year by withholding her hard-earned certificate - a charge the scheme vehemently denies.
In their official response, NYSC management maintains that Raye's certificate was withheld solely due to her failure to participate in the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance exercise - an infraction that automatically triggers a two-month service extension under Chapter 4, Section 4 of the NYSC Bye-Laws.
The agency revealed that Raye is among 131 corps members nationwide facing similar disciplinary measures for various infractions, insisting the action has no political undertones as alleged. However, protesters dismissed this explanation as pretextual, pointing to what they call NYSC's history of weaponizing administrative processes against critics.
As tensions flared at the headquarters, Sowore could be heard demanding immediate audience with the NYSC Director-General, threatening sustained civil disobedience until Raye's certificate is released. The activist framed the battle as symbolic of wider struggles against institutional repression in Nigeria, vowing to "break the culture of certificate hostage-taking by government agencies."
Legal observers note this confrontation could set important precedents regarding citizens' rights during national service, with Effiong hinting at potential lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of certain NYSC disciplinary measures if the standoff isn't resolved amicably.
The protest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing "Justice for Raye" campaign that has gained traction among youth groups and civil society organizations, reflecting growing discontent with how Nigeria's 51-year-old national service program handles dissent and disciplinary matters in the digital age.