The 774 National Health Fellows, Cohort 1.0, have urged President Bola Tinubu to honour his promise to employ them into the Federal Civil Service. The appeal comes four months after the President approved their absorption in June 2026. In a letter dated October 29, the fellows said they were yet to receive appointment letters.
The National Health Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria said the delay has affected members’ livelihoods and career plans. It added that some fellows resigned from previous jobs, rejected other opportunities and spent personal funds in anticipation of the employment. The association urged Tinubu to direct relevant government agencies, including the Federal Civil Service Commission, to complete the process.
Tinubu announced the automatic employment of the fellows on March 6, 2025, during the launch of the National Health Fellowship Programme. The Federal Ministry of Health selected the fellows from the country’s 774 local government areas to strengthen the healthcare system. According to the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, more than 360,000 applicants competed for the programme.
