A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has alleged she is facing threats after criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in a viral TikTok video, sparking outrage from Amnesty International Nigeria.
The corps member, who goes by the handle @talktoraye on TikTok, had posted a video expressing frustration over Nigeria’s rising inflation and economic hardship, directly calling out President Tinubu. In her now-viral statement, she said:
“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
She also criticised the NYSC scheme, arguing that it had become more of a financial burden than a benefit.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she added.
Threats and Intimidation Allegations
Shortly after the video gained traction online, the corps member claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials. In a follow-up post, she shared an audio recording of a phone call where an official reportedly warned her:
“Are you normal? Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted.”
Taking to Instagram (@iamraye__), she further alleged that NYSC officials were attempting to track her down.
“Deleting this content is of no use because they already know me. However, deleting it means whatever they do to me, nobody would know. If they decide to give me a hefty punishment, nobody would know because I used my own hands to cover it by deleting what I started.”
She accused an NYSC official of trying to identify her, questioning why she was being treated like a criminal.
“All I did was lament. All I did was complain. I’m getting tons of messages like this from my fellow corpers. What is wrong with just one person complaining? Why are they looking for me like I’m a criminal?”
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The corps member insisted she had not spread false information but simply exercised her right to free speech.
“I made sure to not accuse the government of anything maliciously! I questioned them. I asked questions. As an NYSC corper, I didn’t sign off my freedom of speech.”
According to her, NYSC officials had ordered her to report to their office but continued to pursue her aggressively.
“Dear NYSC, if you say a corper has faulted, you wouldn’t treat them like this and scare them! You are scaring me for my dear life. Please leave me alone.”
Amnesty International Demands Protection of Free Speech
Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the alleged threats and defended the corps member’s right to express her views without fear of persecution. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the human rights organization said:
“Amnesty International strongly condemns threats and intimidation directed at a lady who posted a TikTok video lamenting the current escalating economic hardship. The lady alleged that NYSC officials @officialnyscng threatened her for refusing to delete the video.
“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should be prioritising addressing the country’s economic woes.
“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for the Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime.”
NYSC Silent Amid Growing Backlash
Despite the public uproar, the NYSC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, the incident has reignited discussions on free speech in Nigeria, with many questioning the government’s tolerance for dissent.
The corps member’s ordeal reflects a growing climate of fear among Nigerians critical of government policies, raising concerns over the shrinking space for civic expression. The coming days will reveal whether the NYSC and relevant authorities will address these allegations or allow them to fade without accountability.