By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A serving member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State has sparked controversy after criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in a viral video posted on TikTok.
The corper, who shared her grievances in a TikTok post under the handle @talktoraye, was seen in tears as she lamented the rising cost of goods in Nigeria, reported by Sahara Reporters.
In the emotional video, the corps member described the Tinubu administration as “terrible” and accused the government of neglecting the economic hardship faced by citizens.
“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 said.
She further lamented the financial struggles she faces as a corper, stating that the monthly NYSC allowance is insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
According to her, she often spends more than she earns due to the skyrocketing cost of necessaries.
The corps member cited examples of the rising cost of living, including a crate of eggs costing N6,500, compared to N800 previously.
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing,” she said.
She also expressed frustration over the poor state of infrastructure in Lagos, stating that “Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell?” The corps member questioned the benefits of the NYSC scheme, stating that “there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme.”
Less than 24 hours after posting the video, the corps member shared another clip showing her receiving calls from an NYSC official.
According to her, she has been receiving multiple calls from NYSC officials, urging her to stop criticizing the government and delete the video.
This recent update has triggered reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.
As of now, the NYSC has not released an official statement addressing the allegations made by the corps member.
The incident has raised concerns about freedom of speech and the rights of citizens, particularly corps members, to criticize the government.
The corps member’s viral video has sparked a national conversation about the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and the role of the government in addressing these challenges.
