A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Lagos State has alleged intimidation from the NYSC board after she publicly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in a viral social media video.
The young woman, who goes by @talktoraye on TikTok, posted an emotional clip detailing her struggles with the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
She described the Tinubu-led government as “terrible” and questioned its handling of the country’s economic crisis.
In the video, she lamented that her NYSC allowance is barely enough to cover basic needs, stating that the cost of essentials has skyrocketed beyond what most people can afford. She expressed her frustration over the worsening economic situation, saying, “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 directly addressed the president, stating, “I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
The corps member recounted her recent trip to the supermarket, where she was shocked to find that a crate of eggs now costs N6,500, a drastic jump from the N800 she remembers. Overwhelmed by the price increases, she said, “Every single week, prices keep increasing.
I want to know, what is the government doing about this?” She also complained about the high cost of security and electricity bills, revealing that her entire income is consumed by expenses.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.”
In her frustration, she also criticized the state of Lagos, saying, “Lagos stinks! Everywhere smells! What is the government doing about this?” She further highlighted the high cost of transportation, questioning why an Uber ride should cost N25,000.
She concluded her rant by insisting that corps members should start calling out the government for failing to improve the economy.
Less than 24 hours after her video went viral, @talktoraye shared another clip showing her receiving multiple calls from NYSC officials, warning her against making political statements online. She claimed that she was urged to delete the video and stop criticizing the government.
The development has sparked a nationwide debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.
As inflation and economic hardship continue to bite, this controversy raises a pressing question: should young Nigerians be silenced for speaking out on the realities of living in the country?