Seven Months After, 210 Ex-Corps Members Still Await Automatic Employment Promised By Tinubu Government
Over seven months after publicly promising automatic employment to former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has yet to fulfil that pledge, leaving many of the beneficiaries frustrated, anxious, and uncertain about their future.
The delay has cast a shadow over what was once a moment of nationwide celebration.
In a July 29 publication that sparked hope and jubilation across the country, the NYSC announced that President Tinubu had approved automatic employment and cash rewards for 210 honoured ex-corps members, many of whom had risked their lives or suffered permanent injuries while serving the nation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has offered automatic employment, Scholarship within Nigeria up to Doctorate level and cash awards of N250,000 each, to a total of 210 ex-Corps Members drawn from 2020 – 2023 service years,” the statement released by NYSC read in part.
“This number is comprised of 200 who went beyond the call of duty to distinguish themselves in the course of their National Service, with outstanding contributions in all the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, and 10 who sustained life-transforming injuries in the course of their service year.”
According to the statement, the President directed the “Head of Service of the Federation and the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission to facilitate their employment into the Federal Civil Service immediately”.
For the awardees, the announcement was more than a ceremonial gesture, it felt like validation after months, and in some cases years, of sacrifice and hardship.
Many had served in remote communities, conflict-prone areas, and underserved regions. Some bore physical scars. Others carried emotional ones. The promise of automatic employment offered stability in a country battling high unemployment and economic strain.
What began as excitement has gradually turned into disappointment, confusion, and emotional distress.
In October 2025, following mounting public pressure after a SaharaReporters investigation exposed the government’s failure to redeem the pledge, the affected ex-corps members were invited to Abuja and asked to submit “necessary documents”.
For many, the invitation reignited fading hope.
According to affected individuals who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid victimisation, they travelled long distances from different parts of the country, spending money they could barely afford.
Some arrived in Abuja without knowing anyone or having a place to stay.
“We got the circular that we should come to Abuja for documentation, so that we can urgently be processed for job placements. I travelled over ten hours and paid for accomodation because I have no one in Abuja,” an affected ex-corper told SaharaReporters.
Others reportedly borrowed money to make the trip. Some slept in religious centres and open spaces due to lack of accommodation, clinging to the belief that their long-awaited employment letters would soon follow.
Months later, that hope has once again dimmed.
Sources said that the Federal Government is now attributing the delay to state government commissioners.
“We sent a delegate to the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission to seek updates on why there has been no offer letter. We were made to understand that there are certain commissioners at the state government level who should sign some documents before the Federal Government will now finalise the process but they have failed to do so,” one of the affected persons who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
“We were told that the papers have left the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service.”
Multiple sources expressed deep disappointment at how the promise has been handled, describing the situation as emotionally draining.
“What the government told the ex-corps members in July seemed like there would be no delay but what we have now is a far cry. They have kept pushing the blame from one office to another and it’s unfortunate.”
Attempts to reach the NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, for clarification were unsuccessful. She did not respond to messages seeking comment and did not answer calls as of the time of filing this report.
For many of the affected ex-corps members, what was once a proud national honour now feels like a painful reminder of promises yet to be kept.
