In a July 29 publication, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had 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 in service to the nation.
Five months after a declaration of promised automatic employment to some ex-corps members, the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has failed to fulfil its promise, SaharaReporters can report.
In a July 29 publication, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had 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 in service to the nation.
"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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 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 recognition—it was a lifeline.
Many believed that after years of sacrifice, hardship, and uncertainty, their struggles had finally been acknowledged.
However, five months after the widely celebrated declaration, the promised automatic employment has yet to materialise, leaving the ex-corps members stranded in uncertainty 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.
SaharaReporters gathered from the ex-corps members, who requested anonymity to avoid victimisation, that they travelled long distances from different parts of the country, spending scarce resources they could ill 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.
"After we left Abuja in October, in the first week, till today, no one has reached out to us, it's as if we were made to travel all the way for nothing."
Another ex-corps member who preferred anonymity recounted how the trip pushed him to physical and emotional exhaustion. Unable to afford accommodation in Abuja, he said he spent nights at a religious centre, clinging to hope despite the discomfort.
"I travelled down to Abuja and slept in one of the religious centres around, I subjected myself to mosquitoes and discomfort, thinking that finally we will get the job. You know your mind will keep hoping that the promised job will come, till today, nothing has materialised," an affected ex-corps member told SaharaReporters.
One of the affected individuals described the pressure and fear that surrounded the trip, explaining that the NYSC authorities made it clear attendance was compulsory if they hoped to secure the promised employment.
"The way they were talking about our trip last year, you would think they were ready, infact I borrowed money to ensure I travel down to Abuja. When I was to come I was not feeling fine but I didn't want to miss the chance and looking back the government has disappointed us," the source stated.
One of the affected persons also lamented how the failure of the Tinubu led government to fulfill it's promises has affected livelihood.
"If they fulfilled their promises, I would have a better means of survival. Making us spend our scarce resources for nothing is also unfair."
In September 2025, SaharaReporters had earlier reported the government’s failure to fulfil its promise of automatic employment for the ex-corps members—some of whom now live with permanent disabilities after sustaining injuries during their service year.
At the time, some of the affected individuals told SaharaReporters that although the announcement initially lifted their spirits, months passed without a single call, email, or official communication from either the NYSC or the government.
"There has been no automatic job of any form; in fact, no one has reached out. The only thing they have fulfilled is the money promised but aside from the money, nothing else has been done," an affected ex-corps member who spoke on condition of anonymity over fear of victimisation told SaharaReporters.
For those who suffered life-threatening injuries sustained during service, the unfulfilled promise has been particularly painful. One such ex-corps member said the assurance of government employment had restored his sense of dignity and belonging—if only briefly.
"When they told us that there would be automatic employment, I was happy because I suffered bodily harm while serving and companies now use this to reject my attempts at working but when they government made the announcement, I thought there would be a place for me in government even if I am suffering some physical disabilities but till today nobody, not even a phone call or email has been initiated," the ex-corps member said.
Now, months after the fanfare and public commendation, the honoured ex-corps members say they feel forgotten and used. They are appealing to the Nigerian government to redeem its promise, warning that what was once a moment of national pride has turned into a source of deep disappointment.
"We are asking that the government should not use us as a tool for publicity, while in the actual sense, there would be nothing to show. We don't want to be another tool of false government promotion," another affected ex-corps member said.