The intimidation of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Uguamaye over her viral video criticising the government of President Bola Tinubu is unacceptable.

Development Diaries reports that the serving corps member in Lagos State cried out over a threat she received from the NYSC board following her social media post expressing her displeasure about the rising costs of commodities in the country.

In the video shared on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, the corps member explained how frustrated she is over the rising inflation, describng President Bola Tinubu’s government as ‘terrible’.

It is deeply troubling by the actions of NYSC officials who have chosen threats and intimidation over open dialogue. Such actions are not only excessive but also a fundamental violation of democratic principles.

It is important to clarify that the NYSC Bye-Laws (Revised 2011) contain no explicit prohibition against corps members voicing criticism of the government. The closest provision, outlined in Section 18, merely states that any corps member who addresses the press on policy matters without written consent from the State Coordinator may face disciplinary action in the form of service extension, not criminal prosecution or public harassment.

This situation presents a unique opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by acknowledging the legitimate grievances of young Nigerians, affirming their right to speak truth to power, and reassuring the public of his administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods.

Instead of NYSC officials resorting to harassment and intimidation, we urge the President to use this moment to rebuild public trust and reinforce democratic values.

The youth of Nigeria are not the enemy. Their voices matter, and when they speak out of frustration or discontent, the government’s response should be to listen, engage, and provide solutions, not to silence or threaten them.

Development Diaries calls on President Tinubu to address this matter personally and reassure Nigerians that his administration respects democratic freedoms and remains open to constructive criticism. True leadership listens and responds thoughtfully, rather than punishing those who speak out.