Nigerian activist and social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, has reacted to the viral video of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who claimed she was threatened for speaking out against the government.
The corps member, identified as Ushie Rita, had posted an emotional video lamenting the high cost of living in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. She expressed frustration over rising expenses for food, transportation, and data, concluding that Tinubu is a “terrible president.”
Following her video, Rita alleged that NYSC officials contacted her, demanding she take it down while issuing threats. In a recorded phone call she shared, an official was heard telling her, “Pull down that rubbish you put there,” while dismissing her concerns about accountability. This sparked widespread reactions, with many questioning the suppression of free speech.
VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken stance on governance, condemned the threats against the corps member, saying her statements were factual. “The girl talked about the hardship of being a Nigerian in this regime. She cried while talking about feeding, transportation, data costs—things everyone is experiencing,” he said.
He went on to criticize NYSC officials, accusing them of corruption and being part of the systemic failures affecting Nigerian youths. “The government approved an increase in corps members’ allowances from ₦33,000 to ₦70,000, but they haven’t received it. Where is the money?” he asked. He also questioned the continued relevance of the NYSC scheme, suggesting that many corps members would be better off learning trades or securing real jobs rather than spending a year in service with no future job security.
Addressing Rita’s situation, VeryDarkMan reassured her that she would receive support despite potential blacklisting. “They will blacklist you so that you won’t get a job in a normal place. But don’t worry, we’ll be there. If you try the private sector and they don’t accept you, we will help you,” he promised.
The activist further challenged the government to address the concerns raised by Rita instead of silencing her. He called for solutions to Nigeria’s economic crisis, urging authorities to regulate data costs, reduce transportation expenses, and improve living conditions. “Instead of threatening her, why not fix the problems she mentioned? If Lagos is smelling, make it scent. If transportation is expensive, bring electric cars. If data is too costly, regulate it,” he stated.
VeryDarkMan concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria’s leaders should focus on governance rather than suppressing free speech. “She is suffering, she is complaining, she is going through pain. Instead of addressing her concerns, you are threatening her. That’s not how a country should be run,” he said.
His reaction has sparked further discussions about freedom of expression, economic hardship, and youth activism in Nigeria.
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