The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has refuted claims that National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, who referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a terrible President on social media is being threatened with disciplinary action.
Speaking on Channels TV during an interview on Monday night, the minister dismissed allegations that the corps member was being punished, insisting that no formal action had been taken against her.
“Nobody threatened her. Actually, for me, did you see the communication? Have you had any panel for her now?he questioned.
The minister explained that the NYSC operates under structured guidelines and that any inquiry into the corps member’s conduct may have come from a local official rather than from the scheme’s headquarters.
“NYSC is in all local governments. Probably the local government coordinator saw the post and recognized her as a corps member and decided to put a call. That doesn’t mean it’s coming from the headquarters,” he said.
Beyond the controversy surrounding the corps member, the minister acknowledged that many Nigerian youths are frustrated with the state of the country.
“As a youth minister, is your principal aware that a lot of Nigerian youths are frustrated? the interviewer asked.
In response, the minister admitted the struggles but emphasized that the government was making efforts to address them.
“Everybody knows, and I’ve said this outside here, that no country can fetch water from a dry well. The president picked this country from a dry well, and we are trying to see what we can do to revive it,” he explained.
The minister also defended the government’s student loan scheme, stressing that it was designed to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
“A president or a government that wants to give a student loan knows that he’s going to provide jobs for those students so they can pay back. And that is where we are going,”he assured.
When asked about the growing sentiment that the government is clamping down on dissent, the minister dismissed such claims, urging young Nigerians to engage in thorough research before forming opinions.
“I’ve said this clearly: let us always make research. Put it on your laptop. You have access to gadgets. Make research—what has happened in the past, where we are now, and what we are doing,” he advised.
Despite his reassurances, online discussions continue to trend, with many Nigerian youths engaging in the #RantChallenge, an online protest where they express their frustrations with governance and the economy.
