By SUNTV Global Channel
January 7, 2026 | News
Five months after the Federal Government announced automatic employment for selected former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has yet to fulfil the widely publicised pledge, leaving many beneficiaries stranded, disappointed, and struggling to survive.
On July 29, 2025, the NYSC announced that President Tinubu had approved automatic employment, postgraduate scholarships within Nigeria up to doctorate level, and cash awards of ₦250,000 each for 210 ex-corps members drawn from the 2020–2023 service years. The beneficiaries included 200 corps members who reportedly distinguished themselves through exceptional service, as well as 10 others who sustained life-altering injuries while serving the nation.
The NYSC statement further disclosed that the President had directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to immediately facilitate their employment into the federal civil service.
For many of the awardees, the announcement represented more than honour—it symbolised hope, stability, and recognition after years of sacrifice. However, that hope has since faded.
Abuja Trip, Renewed Hope, Fresh Disappointment
Following mounting public criticism and investigative reports highlighting the government’s inaction, affected ex-corps members were invited to Abuja in October 2025 to submit documents said to be required for job placement.
Several beneficiaries told SUNTV Global Channel that they travelled long distances from across the country at great personal cost, borrowing money and paying for accommodation in the Federal Capital Territory, believing the long-awaited employment process was finally underway.
“We were told to come to Abuja for documentation so we could be urgently processed for job placement,” one affected ex-corps member said. “I travelled for over 10 hours and paid for accommodation because I don’t have anyone in Abuja. After that visit, nobody has contacted us till today.”
Another beneficiary recounted sleeping in a religious centre due to inability to afford lodging. “I subjected myself to mosquitoes and discomfort because I believed the promise would finally be fulfilled. Till today, nothing has happened,” he said.
Others described how NYSC officials emphasised that attendance in Abuja was mandatory for anyone hoping to secure the promised employment, prompting some to travel despite ill health or financial hardship.
“I borrowed money just to make the trip because they made it sound urgent,” another ex-corps member lamented. “Looking back now, the government has completely disappointed us.”
Lives on Hold, Disabilities Ignored
Some of the affected ex-corps members are living with permanent disabilities sustained during their service year. They say the promise of automatic employment briefly restored their sense of dignity after being repeatedly rejected by employers due to their physical condition.
“When the government announced automatic employment, I was happy,” one injured ex-corps member said. “I thought there would be a place for me in public service despite my disability. But till today, not even a phone call or email has come.”
While the government reportedly disbursed the ₦250,000 cash awards, the beneficiaries insist that no concrete steps have been taken toward fulfilling the employment aspect of the promise.
‘Don’t Use Us for Publicity’
Now, months after the fanfare, the honoured ex-corps members say they feel forgotten and exploited for public relations purposes.
“If they had fulfilled their promises, many of us would have a better means of survival today,” one beneficiary said. “Making us spend our scarce resources for nothing is unfair.”
Another added, “We don’t want to be used as tools for government publicity. What was announced with pride should not end as empty words.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency, the Federal Civil Service Commission, nor the NYSC has issued a fresh statement explaining the delay or outlining a clear timeline for the promised employment.
For the affected ex-corps members, what was once a moment of national recognition has become a painful reminder of unfulfilled promises—and they are now calling on the Tinubu administration to act before hope is completely extinguished.
