The 774 National Health Fellows, Cohort 1.0, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise to employ them into the Federal Civil Service, four months after approval for their absorption was communicated.\n<\/p>\n
The fellows, under the National Health Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria, made the appeal in a letter dated October 29, 2026, addressed to Tinubu through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday.\n<\/p>\n
In the letter, signed by the association\u2019s Pioneer National President-elect, Joshua Amuofu, and Pioneer National General Secretary-elect, Alao Toheeb, the fellows urged the President to intervene and direct the relevant authorities to complete the employment process.\n<\/p>\n
They recalled that the President\u2019s approval for their immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service was formally communicated in June 2026.<\/p>\n
However, they said they were yet to receive appointment letters or be formally employed.<\/p>\n
\u201cFour 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,\u201d the letter stated.\n<\/p>\n
The fellows said the delay had affected their livelihoods, families and professional aspirations, adding that some had resigned from previous jobs, turned down other opportunities and spent their personal resources in anticipation of the promised employment.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome 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,\u201d they said.\n<\/p>\n
They added that the prolonged uncertainty had increased frustration among members, warning that the hope inspired by the President\u2019s promise was gradually turning into disappointment. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur 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,\u201d the association said.\n<\/p>\n
The fellows stressed that they were not asking for a fresh promise but for the implementation of an approval already granted.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYour Excellency, we are not asking for a new promise, but for the fulfilment of an approval already granted,\u201d they stated.\n<\/p>\n
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 speed up the process and ensure appointment letters are issued to all eligible fellows.\n<\/p>\n
The association said the fellows were eager to contribute to the development of Nigeria\u2019s health sector, support their families and serve the country through the Federal Civil Service.<\/p>\n
The appeal comes about 20 months after Tinubu announced the automatic employment of the fellows at the launch of the National Health Fellowship Programme on March 6, 2025.\n<\/p>\n