774 National Health Fellows Appeal to Tinubu Over Delayed Employment Four Months After Approval

The 774 National Health Fellows under Cohort 1.0 have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise to absorb them into the Federal Civil Service, four months after approval for their employment was reportedly communicated.

The fellows, operating under the National Health Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria, made the appeal in a letter dated October 29, 2026, addressed to the President through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The letter, obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday, was signed by the association’s Pioneer National President-elect, Joshua Amuofu, and Pioneer National General Secretary-elect, Alao Toheeb.

In their appeal, the fellows urged Tinubu to intervene and direct the relevant government agencies to complete the employment process, saying they were yet to receive appointment letters despite the approval communicated in June 2026.

“Four months after that directive, we are yet to be engaged or offered employment, while the process continues to be delayed by administrative explanations and unresolved procedures,” the letter stated.

The association said the prolonged delay had affected members’ livelihoods, families and professional plans, explaining that some fellows had resigned from previous jobs, rejected other employment opportunities and spent personal resources in anticipation of joining the Federal Civil Service.

“Some resigned from previous employment, declined other opportunities, and invested their personal resources in good faith, believing in the promise of a better future through public service,” the fellows said.

They added that the continued uncertainty had increased frustration among members, warning that the optimism generated by the President’s employment promise was gradually turning into disappointment.

“Our Renewed Hope, which your leadership inspired and which your approval further strengthened, is now being toyed with by the continued delay in implementing the very decision that gave us reason to look forward to a better future,” the association stated.

The fellows emphasised that they were not seeking a fresh employment commitment but wanted the government to implement an approval that had already been granted.

“Your Excellency, we are not asking for a new promise, but for the fulfilment of an approval already granted,” they added.

They appealed to Tinubu to issue an Executive Order or another appropriate presidential directive to the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, including the Federal Civil Service Commission, to accelerate the process and ensure that appointment letters were issued to all eligible fellows.

The association said its members remained willing to contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare development, support their families and serve the country through the Federal Civil Service.

The appeal comes about 20 months after Tinubu announced the automatic employment of the fellows during the launch of the National Health Fellowship Programme on March 6, 2025.

At the event, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President reportedly told the participants, “You are hired.”

The fellows were selected from Nigeria’s 774 local government areas under an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, had described the fellows as the best candidates selected from more than 360,000 applicants.