Tinubu’s ‘You Are Hired’ Promise: 774 National Health Fellows Still Await Appointment Letters 18 Months Later | Sahara Reporters

Tinubu made the announcement on March 6, 2025, during the inauguration of the NHF Programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he told the fellows, “You are hired.”

More than 18 months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the automatic employment of 774 beneficiaries of the National Health Fellows (NHF) Programme, the fellows are yet to receive appointment letters or formally transition into the Federal Civil Service, SaharaReporters has learned.

Tinubu made the announcement on March 6, 2025, during the inauguration of the NHF Programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he told the fellows, “You are hired.”

The declaration encouraged the young professionals, selected from all 774 local government areas of Nigeria, to commit themselves fully to the programme. Some beneficiaries said they resigned from existing jobs, rejected other employment opportunities, relocated and spent personal savings while carrying out their assignments under the fellowship.

However, despite a subsequent presidential approval for their absorption into the Federal Civil Service, the fellows say the process remains stalled after five hundred and sixty days of the presidential declaration.

A communication from the Office of the President dated June 24, 2026, which SaharaReporters previously reported, indicated that Tinubu had approved the immediate absorption of the fellows into the Federal Civil Service.

The letter, signed by the President’s Private Secretary, Damilola Adenimi, was addressed to the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

The document, referenced PRES/36/F/FCSE/3/36/HCSF/80/30/MH/49, said the approval followed a May 27, 2026 request by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for the employment of the fellows.

The letter was received by the Federal Civil Service Commission on June 25, 2026, with the relevant agencies directed to take further action on the presidential approval.

The fellows were also notified by email on June 25 that the President had approved their immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service.

The email, reportedly sent on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stated: “The Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has directed me to inform you that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has today, 25th June 2026, approved your immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service.”

The message said the approval represented recognition of the fellows’ “talent and dedication” and reflected the President’s confidence in their ability to contribute to national development.

It further stated that the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation would communicate the modalities for their transition.

But more than two months after that notification, the fellows say they have yet to receive appointment letters or begin their formal service in the Federal Civil Service.

In an appeal to Tinubu made available to SaharaReporters, the fellows said the prolonged delay had caused financial and professional difficulties for many beneficiaries.

They recalled that the President’s “You are hired” declaration at the March 6, 2025 onboarding ceremony gave them the confidence to commit themselves to the programme.

“Many fellows exhausted their savings while serving their communities. Some resigned from stable employment because they trusted the promise of their President, while others lost valuable career opportunities they could no longer recover,” they said.

According to the fellows, they remain committed to the programme despite the uncertainty surrounding their employment status and continue to observe constituted authorities while awaiting implementation of the presidential directive.

They said the June 25, 2026 communication renewed their expectation that the employment process would finally be concluded.

“Our confidence in your promise was strengthened on 25th June, 2026, when we received an official communication conveying that Your Excellency had approved the immediate absorption of NHF Cohort 1.0 into the Federal Civil Service,” they said.

The fellows are now asking the President to intervene directly and ensure that the necessary administrative processes are completed and appointment letters issued.

They also urged him to issue an Executive Order or any other directive deemed necessary to facilitate the implementation of the approval.

The beneficiaries argued that completing the process would not only address their immediate concerns but would also reinforce confidence among young Nigerians in government commitments.

“Such an intervention will not only fulfil a promise made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but will also restore hope to hundreds of young professionals and their families,” they said.

The fellows maintained that they had demonstrated their competence and commitment during the programme and remained willing to continue contributing to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Your Excellency, history remembers leaders who keep faith with their people. We are confident that you will once again stand with the 774 National Health Fellows and ensure that this promise is fulfilled,” they said.