A Nigerian researcher has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who recently alleged threats after publicly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government over inflation, economic hardship, and the difficulties faced by corps members.
The corps member, currently serving in Lagos, took to social media to express her frustrations over the financial struggles faced by NYSC members. She lamented that the cost of living has skyrocketed while the government’s allowance for corps members remains insufficient, making it difficult for many to survive.
Her post quickly went viral, sparking heated debates across social media. While some Nigerians supported her bold stance and agreed that corps members deserve better treatment, others criticized her for openly calling out the government while still serving in a federal program. The discussion soon escalated, with reports emerging that she was allegedly being threatened by NYSC officials for her remarks.
Reacting to the situation, a social media user identified as @Optimistic_Ade, who is also a researcher, weighed in on the matter. He cited the official NYSC by-laws, which clearly prohibit corps members from engaging in partisan politics or making public criticisms of the government.
“Baby girl, you are currently a staff of the federal government, and on the basis of that, you can’t openly criticize the government. Read your handbook,” he wrote in response to her viral post.
According to @Optimistic_Ade, there were no real threats from the NYSC authorities, as some claimed. Instead, he argued that the officials were simply reaching out to “call her to order” and remind her of the service guidelines she agreed to abide by.
“There is nothing wrong if your supervisor calls you to order after discovering you have done something that contradicts company policy,” he further explained, implying that the NYSC officials were merely enforcing existing regulations.
The debate surrounding the incident has continued to trend on various social media platforms, with mixed reactions pouring in. While some users strongly defended the corps member’s right to free speech, others argued that her public outcry was in clear violation of NYSC rules and could attract disciplinary action.
The situation remains a hot topic, raising broader discussions on whether corps members should be allowed to express political views openly or if they must remain neutral throughout their service year.