Four months after President Bola Tinubu approved their absorption into the Federal Civil Service, the 774 National Health Fellows of Cohort 1.0 are still waiting for appointment letters, and they are now asking the President to intervene directly.
The fellows, organised 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 was signed by the association’s Pioneer National President-elect, Joshua Amuofu, and Pioneer National General Secretary-elect, Alao Toheeb.
A Promise Made, a Process Stalled
The fellows recalled that the President’s approval for their immediate absorption into the Federal Civil Service was formally communicated in June 2026. Four months on, however, they say no appointment letters have been issued and no formal engagement has taken place.
“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 urged the President to direct the relevant authorities to complete the employment process without further delay, stressing that the fellows were seeking the implementation of a decision already made rather than a fresh commitment.
“Your Excellency, we are not asking for a new promise, but for the fulfilment of an approval already granted,” they stated.
Livelihoods and Careers Caught in the Balance
The delay, the fellows said, has taken a toll on their livelihoods, their families and their professional aspirations. According to the letter, some members resigned from previous jobs, turned down other opportunities and invested personal resources in anticipation of the promised employment.
“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,” they said.
The association warned that frustration is mounting among its members, noting that the hope inspired by the President’s promise is gradually giving way to 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 said.
Call for Presidential Directive
To resolve the impasse, the fellows appealed to President 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 appointment letters are issued to all eligible fellows.
The association emphasised that its members are eager to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s health sector, support their families and serve the country through the Federal Civil Service.
The appeal comes about 20 months after the President announced the automatic employment of the fellows at the launch of the National Health Fellowship Programme on March 6, 2025. At the event, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu told the participants, “You are hired.”
The fellows were selected from the country’s 774 local government areas as part of a Federal Ministry of Health initiative to strengthen the healthcare system. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described them as the best candidates selected from more than 360,000 applicants.
With the approval already granted but appointment letters still outstanding, the fellows now look to the Presidency for the final step that would formally bring them into the Federal Civil Service.
