Nigeria claims to operate a democracy, but recent events suggest otherwise. Free speech is under threat.

Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, posted a TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu. In the video, she described the hardship in Nigeria, called Tinubu a terrible leader, and said Lagos smelled.

Soon after, NYSC officials in Lagos summoned her. They reportedly threatened her and told her to delete the video. Government officials also pressured her to apologise.

Her Frustration Echoes Reality

Many Nigerians agree with her. Life is hard. Inflation reached 34.80% in December 2024, the highest in 30 years. Poverty is widespread. In 2018, Nigeria overtook India as the world’s poverty capital.

By 2022, 133 million Nigerians lived in multidimensional poverty. The World Bank added another seven million in 2024 after the fuel subsidy was removed and the naira was floated.

Insecurity, kidnapping, and unemployment have worsened. About 90 million Nigerians live without electricity.

Corps Members Have Rights Too

Some people argue that corps members should remain silent. They compare them to soldiers and police officers. But corps members are not military personnel.

The NYSC Act or its Revised Byelaws of 2011 does not ban free expression. Uguamaye, like all citizens, has a right to speak.

Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights supports this right. So does the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Suppression Is Not Democracy

A democratic government should listen to its citizens—not silence them. Intimidation and fear are tools of dictators, not democrats.

During Nigeria’s military regimes, citizens still found ways to speak up. Today, people face more backlash for protesting than they did under military rule.

In August 2024, many protesters—including minors—were arrested for speaking out against hardship. Some were charged with treason.

Last year, journalists were detained under the Cybersecurity Act. Between 2016 and 2020, at least 150 press freedom violations were recorded in Nigeria.

Focus on Fixing the Economy

The government raised the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in July 2024. But many state governments have not paid the new wage.

Meanwhile, workers still face rising food prices, fuel costs, and unstable electricity. Production costs remain high. Many companies have shut down or left the country.

Instead of attacking critics, the government should fix the economy. It should invest in job creation, energy access, and social services.

More Criticism Will Come

If hardship continues, more citizens will speak out. Silencing them will not solve the problem.

A strong nation embraces open dialogue. It listens to criticism. It protects free speech.

The government must stop gagging young voices. It must focus on solutions, not suppression. That is how democracy works.