More than a year after President Bola Tinubu publicly told 774 young Nigerians selected under the National Health Fellows Programme that they were "hired," the beneficiaries say they remain unemployed despite a subsequent presidential approval for their immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service.

The fellows, drawn from all 774 local government areas of Nigeria, have appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene in what they described as an inexplicable delay in implementing his directive, saying many of them resigned from existing jobs, turned down other employment opportunities and exhausted their savings while serving under the programme.

Their appeal follows an official communication dated June 24, 2026, from the Office of the President requesting the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Federal Ministry of Health to effect their employment under the Presidential Programme on National Health Fellows.

A copy of the letter, signed by the President's Private Secretary, Damilola Adenimi, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, indicated that President Tinubu had approved the immediate absorption of the fellows into the Federal Civil Service.

The presidential directive, referenced PRES/36/F/FCSE/3/36/HCSF/80/30/MH/49, was addressed to the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

It stated that the approval followed an earlier correspondence from the Minister of Health and Social Welfare dated May 27, 2026, requesting the employment of the fellows.

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

The fellows also shared an email sent to them on June 25 informing them that President Tinubu had approved their immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service.

The email read in part: "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."

It added that the approval was "not only a recognition of your talent and dedication but also a profound testament to Mr President's unwavering confidence in your capacity to transform the work culture of our nation."

The message further assured the fellows that the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Head of the Civil Service would communicate the modalities for their transition.

However, more than a month after receiving the official notification, and over 14 months after Tinubu first announced that they had been hired, the fellows say no appointment letters have been issued.

In an open appeal to the President, made exclusively available to SaharaReporters on Thursday, the concerned fellows recalled that the promise was first made on March 6, 2025, during the official onboarding ceremony of the National Health Fellows Programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to them, Tinubu's declaration of "You are hired" gave them confidence to commit themselves fully to the programme.

The fellows said many participants resigned from existing employment, declined alternative job offers, relocated across the country and committed their personal resources to implementing health interventions in communities in line with the objectives of the fellowship.

"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," the fellows wrote.

"The message described the approval as a recognition of our dedication and an expression of your confidence in our ability to contribute meaningfully to national development."

They added that the communication renewed their hope that the long-awaited promise would finally materialise.

"Sadly, despite these assurances, the 774 National Health Fellows are yet to receive appointment letters or commence their service in the Federal Civil Service."

The fellows lamented that the prolonged delay has pushed many into financial and emotional hardship.

"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.

Despite the frustration, the fellows said they had remained patient and respectful of constituted authorities while hoping that the President's promise would eventually be fulfilled.

They appealed for Tinubu's direct intervention, urging him to issue an Executive Order or any other presidential directive necessary to ensure the immediate implementation of the approval and the release of their appointment letters.

According to them, implementing the approval would not only fulfil a presidential commitment but also restore confidence among young Nigerians in government promises.

"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.

"It will strengthen public confidence in government commitments and further demonstrate your administration's dedication to youth empowerment, healthcare reform and human capital development."

The fellows maintained that they had already demonstrated competence and commitment during the programme and remained willing to continue serving Nigeria.

"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," the appeal concluded.