Emmanuel EDOMWONYI examines the recent developments around a youth corps member’s critical view about the economic situation in the country and the backlash she faced. His analysis interrogates underlying systemic issues that have not been put in perspective in most analyses related to the matter.
The Viral Video and its Fallout
In March 2024, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, an NYSC member serving in Lagos State, posted a video decrying the cost-of-living crises, and the poor state of the welfare of corp members. The video, in which she called President Bola Tinubu “a terrible president”, went viral. She also complained about the air quality in Lagos state. Her video spread widely across social media, generating many comments, as many Nigerians resonated with her concerns about the worsening economic hardship.
The controversy escalated further when Rita posted another video, which this time included the recording of a phone conversation with her NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI), who threatened her with sanctions unless she took down the initial video, citing its political content. This intensified the public debate, drawing both commendation and criticism toward Rita, the NYSC, and the Tinubu administration.
The Backlash Against Rita
Among the harshest criticisms levelled against Rita were claims that she was greedy and unrealistic for wanting a better standard of living. Some questioned why a youth corps member should be able to afford a crate of eggs, implying that such purchases were excessive. Others mocked her for complaining about Lagos’ air quality while previous videos she had shared on her social media handles showed her enjoying a boat party.
The criticism also took on a tribalistic dimension, with some accusing her of being an outsider who had no right to criticise Lagos. Others alleged that non-Yoruba residents disproportionately contributed to environmental pollution, a claim used to dismiss her concerns. Additionally, some detractors suggested she was simply seeking social media attention rather than making meaningful political statements.
Countering the Criticism
These criticisms against her are easy to counter. Groceries such as eggs should be affordable for everyone because they are staples and an important source of nutrition. Being happy, or partying, does not preclude one from noticing the air quality, nor does it prevent one from speaking out. There is no substantial evidence that non-Yorubas in Lagos are disproportionately polluters. The real issue is government failure to provide adequate sanitation infrastructure and especially for low-income communities; criticising injustice is not only a right but necessary for exercising our democratic rights.
The Ideology of Scarcity and Systemic Poverty
The deeper issue behind some of these criticisms lies in an ingrained ideology of scarcity, particularly among the lower classes. This stems from long-standing poverty, historical colonial deprivation, and religious notions that glorify contentment in hardship.
This mindset manifests in attitudes toward food consumption, where items like eggs, meat, and fish are considered luxuries rather than staples. It also feeds into a belief that only the wealthy deserve a certain standard of living. An example is the myth that children would be corrupted by nutritionally appropriate portions of meat and other proteins. Ironically, however, the same logic does not apply to children of wealthier individuals. As a result, the idea that a corps member—who is expected to be poor—should afford eggs seems outrageous to some.
Ethnocentric Backlash and the Politics of Smell
Some aspects of an ethnic backlash against Rita were specifically related to her comments that Lagos “smells”. According to sociologist Dr Ally Louks, “smell is so often connected with notions of worth and morality, saying Lagos stinks might be an indictment of its people”, thus evoking a defensive response.
More consequential, however, is how the ruling class has weaponized this sentiment. Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, even posted (and later apparently deleted) a tweet implying that outsiders were responsible for polluting Lagos. Such narratives serve as distractions, redirecting frustration away from government failures and toward ethnic divisions.
NYSC: A Scheme Failing In Its Mission
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established in 1973 by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon as one of the ways to promote national integration in the wake of the 30-month civil war. The initiative, according to the military government, would help forge national unity and cross-cultural integration among young graduates by sending them to serve in states outside their regions of origin or study for a period of one year.
The scheme has had little success in achieving this. In the first case, only about 17% of young Nigerians have a post-secondary school education with the opportunity to go for NYSC. Given that young people make up 70% of the population, the vast majority of Nigerians are excluded, underscoring the scheme’s limited scope and the broader failure of the government to invest in accessible education for the population.
Even within the scheme’s limited scope, the failure is apparent, as there are still heavy ethnic and religious prejudices within the educated working and professional middle classes. The ruling classes themselves, though united in their exploitation of the working classes, amplify ethnic and religious tensions to seek interclass solidarity from the lower classes.
The Problem of Corps Members’ Welfare
The NYSC has become increasingly controversial due to concerns about corps members’ safety. Corps members are often targeted by kidnappers, insurgent groups (Boko Haram) and ethnic violence in hotspots communities. The welfare of corps members haS been a very big issue as they HAVE historically been paid stipends equivalent to the meagre minimum wage which is insufficient for survival. This has resulted in a situation where those with the means pay bribes to be posted to safer locations and choice Places of Primary Assignment (PPAs) or to avoid the scheme altogether with exemption letters.
The Impact of Neoliberalism
Under the Tinubu administration, intensified neoliberal economic policies have further exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis, especially for corps members. Many are forcibly relocated to unfamiliar states without adequate support systems like family and friends, making survival even more difficult.
However, the regimented and paramilitary nature of NYSC restricts corps members from openly engaging in political activities, silencing those who dare to speak out. The NYSC prioritises ensuring corps members remain politically neutral over addressing their safety and welfare.
This is a structural issue because on one hand, the government under funds NYSC and pays corps members non-living wages. On the other, NYSC officials fear reform, as the scheme’s tenuous value to the ruling class means it could be scrapped, costing them their jobs Therefore to maintain the status quo, NYSC staff ensure corps members are discouraged from using the scheme as a platform for political activism so that it does not become a source of controversy or threat to the ruling classes.
Ethnic Politics and the Weakness of National Identity
The Nigerian ruling class lacks the will to build a unified national identity. Instead, they exploit ethnic divisions to advance their political interests. This puts the NYSC scheme in an awkward position. Support for the scheme is only from people who directly benefit from government spending on the scheme.
The Way Forward
The way forward is to build a system that truly coheres the people. This requires a revolutionary approach of corps members and youths as a movement, in conjunction with the working class movement, to challenge the division of our ranks by politicians and their ethnic politics, and the profit motive which trivialises every other thing including the lives of poor young corps members. We must break the shackles of this capitalist system to collectively create an equitable and just society. this socialist society will expand advanced education and gainful employment for young people and everyone by extension.
The way to achieve this is through collective revolutionary work of the masses led by the working class. Responses to Rita’s videos such as the viral #30daysrant is an expression of mass discontent towards the government policies and is putting the ruling class on notice. However social media posts alone would not achieve liberation for us. It must be backed by collective revolutionary action that that is geared toward dismantling exploitative structures of power on the ground.
