Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, has become a symbol of the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Her viral TikTok video, in which she openly criticized the government for its handling of the country’s economic crisis, has sparked a wave of sympathy and outrage after she alleged receiving threats from NYSC officials and the Lagos State government.
In her emotional video, Rita expressed her frustration with the rising cost of living, which has made it nearly impossible for her to survive on her meager NYSC allowance. She described her struggles with soaring prices of food, transportation, and utilities, lamenting that her monthly stipend is insufficient to cover her basic needs. “Every single week, prices increase. I want to know if the government is doing something about this. Is the increment going to stop? I’m so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’m living independently,” she said.
Rita did not mince words in her criticism of President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning his administration’s efforts to address the economic crisis. She also criticized the poor living conditions in Lagos, describing the state as “smelling” and unfit for residents. “Lagos stinks. You can’t even take a walk because the place smells. Being a corps member, there is nothing beneficial. The money I spend on transportation is more than the allowance the government pays,” she added.
Her video quickly went viral, resonating with millions of Nigerians who are grappling with the same economic hardships. However, Rita’s courage to speak out came at a cost. Shortly after her video gained traction, she alleged that NYSC officials began pressuring her to take it down. In a follow-up post, she shared a conversation with a woman she claimed was an NYSC official, who demanded that she delete the video, calling it “rubbish.” Rita also claimed that the official threatened her, accusing her of insulting the government.
Fearing for her safety, Rita took to social media to alert the public about the threats she was receiving. “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government starting with the NYSC board!” she wrote. She urged Nigerians to hold the NYSC accountable if anything happened to her, adding, “In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong; I just asked that they work on the inflation.”
Rita’s ordeal has drawn widespread attention, with many Nigerians questioning whether the NYSC is suppressing free speech among corps members. Her story has also highlighted the broader struggles of Nigerians under the Tinubu administration, which has been criticized for its handling of the economy. The removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira have led to skyrocketing prices, pushing many families to the brink of survival.
But Rita’s story is not just about economic hardship; it is also a deeply personal one. As journalist Agba Jalingo revealed, Rita is a victim of Nigeria’s systemic failures in more ways than one. Her father, Raphael A. Ushie, a Chief Inspector with the Nigeria Immigration Service, died in 2019 after participating in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation for the construction of the Obudu International Airport. The plantation, which represented his life savings, was destroyed without compensation, leaving Rita’s family in financial ruin. At just 19 years old, Rita lost her father to a system that showed no regard for his rights or livelihood.
Now, at 24, Rita is facing another battle with the same system. Her decision to speak out against the government’s economic policies has made her a target, with officials allegedly using the NYSC as a tool to silence her. “If you were in her shoes, you live in a country where the system killed your dad for no reason, when you are only 19, your mother suffers to see you through school, and when you try to express your frustrations publicly, the same nation that killed your father threatens to kill you too? So where is the freedom of expression?” Jalingo wrote.
Rita’s story is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by millions of Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of bad governance and economic mismanagement. Her courage to speak out, despite the risks, has made her a voice for the voiceless. Instead of being hounded by government officials, she deserves empathy and support from well-meaning Nigerians who understand the pain of losing a loved one to systemic injustice and the frustration of living in a country where the cost of survival keeps rising.
As the debate over her case continues, one thing is clear: Rita’s plight is a reflection of the collective suffering of Nigerians under the Tinubu administration. Her story is a call to action for the government to listen to its citizens, address their grievances, and work towards creating a better future for all. Until then, Rita’s voice—and the voices of countless others like her—will continue to echo the pain and frustration of a nation in crisis.
