Over one year after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved automatic employment for 774 National Health Fellows to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, beneficiaries of the programme have decried the continued delay in implementing the promise, saying the uncertainty has left them stranded and disillusioned.
The fellows, drawn from all 774 local government areas across the country, said the assurance — made on March 6, 2025, during their inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja — had inspired them to commit fully to the programme, often at significant personal and professional cost.
At the event, the President had declared, “You are hired,” a statement later backed by an official State House press release confirming the approval of their employment as part of efforts to foster sustained improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
However, despite completing the one-year fellowship programme in February 2026, the fellows say they are yet to receive appointment letters or any formal communication regarding their absorption into the Federal Civil Service.
In a joint appeal addressed to the President, which was made available to SaharaReporters’ on Wednesday, the fellows expressed frustration over the delay, noting that many had resigned from previous jobs or declined other career opportunities based on the assurance of employment.
“More than one year after this reassuring declaration, the fellows are yet to receive formal appointment letters nor begin any form of appointment procedure,” the letter read.
“This delay has posed serious challenges, including financial strain, uncertainty, and missed career opportunities for many of the affected individuals.”
The fellows, whose some of their leaders spoke to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, described their participation in the programme as a demanding national assignment that required dedication, sacrifice, and active engagement in grassroots healthcare delivery.
They said their expectation of automatic employment was not merely based on assumption but on a clear presidential commitment, which they believe should be honoured.
“Participation in the NHF programme was not a casual undertaking. It demanded time, discipline, and in several cases, sacrifice,” one of the leaders stated.
“Some resigned from existing roles to focus fully on the fellowship, encouraged by the President’s assurance of employment upon completion.”
The group warned that the prolonged delay risks eroding trust in government commitments, particularly among young professionals willing to contribute to national development.
“Public declarations by a sitting President carry weight—not only as policy signals but as instruments that shape public trust,” another leader noted. Adding “When such assurances are delayed without clear communication, it risks sending an unintended message that even the most emphatic commitments may not be dependable.”
Beyond personal hardship, the fellows stressed that their continued unemployment represents a missed opportunity for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, which continues to grapple with workforce shortages and systemic challenges.
They described themselves as a pool of trained and tested professionals equipped with practical experience in health systems, community engagement, and policy support.
“At a time when Nigeria continues to confront complex health challenges, our integration into the civil service is not just a fulfilment of promise; it is a strategic investment,” the fellows stated.
They called on the President, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Civil Service Commission to urgently expedite the process of their employment.
“We respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to kindly direct the relevant authorities to expedite action on this matter,” the letter read. “This will not only restore hope but also reinforce confidence in government commitments among Nigerian youths.”
The fellows also urged the government to provide clear communication on their status and a defined timeline for their absorption into the civil service.
According to them, timely action would go a long way in restoring confidence and demonstrating that the administration remains committed to its promises.
“Honouring this commitment will not only validate the faith of the NHF fellows; it will reaffirm a principle that remains essential to governance—that promises made at the highest level must be kept,” they added.
SaharaReporters reports that the National Health Fellows Programme, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Health, was designed to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Nigeria by deploying skilled young professionals to underserved communities.
The fellows were selected through a competitive process that reportedly attracted over 360,000 applicants, with only 774 candidates eventually chosen based on merit.
While acknowledging the government’s broader efforts in youth empowerment and health sector reform, the fellows maintained that fulfilling the employment promise would serve as a critical test of trust and accountability.
As frustration grows among the beneficiaries, many say they remain hopeful that the Federal Government will act swiftly to resolve the situation and honour the commitment made at the highest level.
