In a move that sparked hope among Nigeria’s academic elite, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a speech in July 2025, promised automatic employment in the public sector and international scholarships for 201 first-class graduates from the 2023/2024 academic session at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The announcement, made during the university’s 38th convocation ceremony, was met with applause and optimism, as it appeared to signal a renewed commitment to rewarding academic excellence and addressing Nigeria’s chronic unemployment crisis. However, two months later, these graduates remain in limbo, with no concrete steps taken to fulfill the president’s promises. This delay has raised concerns about the government’s sincerity, the feasibility of the pledge, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s education and employment sectors.
The Promise: A Beacon of Hope
On July 26, 2025, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, addressed the graduating class of Bayero University, Kano, during the institution’s convocation ceremony. The president’s speech was a blend of commendation for the graduates’ achievements and a bold pledge to support the nation’s brightest minds. Specifically, he announced that the 201 students who earned first-class degrees would be offered automatic employment in the federal civil service and scholarships for further studies abroad. The promise was framed as part of the administration’s broader agenda to harness Nigeria’s human capital, foster innovation, and reduce the brain drain that has plagued the country for decades.
The announcement was particularly significant given Nigeria’s economic challenges. With unemployment rates hovering around 33% in 2025, according to estimates from the National Bureau of Statistics, and youth unemployment even higher, the promise of automatic jobs was a rare glimmer of hope. For the graduates, many of whom come from modest backgrounds and had overcome significant obstacles to achieve academic excellence, the pledge represented a lifeline—a chance to secure stable employment and further their education in a country where such opportunities are scarce.
The scholarship component of the promise was equally compelling. Nigeria’s education system, while producing talented graduates, often lacks the resources to support advanced research and postgraduate studies. Many first-class graduates aspire to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees abroad but are hindered by financial constraints and limited access to international opportunities. Tinubu’s pledge seemed to address this gap, offering a pathway for these students to compete on a global stage and bring back skills to contribute to Nigeria’s development.
The Reality: A Promise Unfulfilled
Two months after the announcement, the 201 first-class graduates are still waiting for the federal government to make good on its commitment. According to sources close to the graduates, no formal communication has been received from the government regarding the promised jobs or scholarships. The lack of progress has left many of the students frustrated and disillusioned, with some questioning whether the pledge was merely a political maneuver to garner public support.
“It’s been over two months, and we haven’t heard anything,” said one of the graduates, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of repercussions. “We were so excited when we heard the president’s promise. It felt like our hard work was finally being recognized. But now, it seems like it was just talk. We don’t even know who to contact or what steps to take.”
The delay is particularly disheartening given the high expectations set by the announcement. For many of these graduates, the promise of automatic employment was a chance to bypass the notoriously competitive and often corrupt job application process in Nigeria’s public sector. Similarly, the scholarship offer represented an opportunity to escape the financial barriers that prevent many talented students from pursuing advanced degrees.
Context: Nigeria’s Unemployment Crisis and Education System
To understand the significance of Tinubu’s unfulfilled promise, it’s essential to examine the broader context of Nigeria’s unemployment crisis and the state of its education system. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has struggled with high unemployment rates for years, driven by a combination of economic mismanagement, population growth, and a lack of industrial diversification. The National Bureau of Statistics reported in 2024 that over 20 million Nigerians were unemployed, with young people making up a significant portion of this figure. For university graduates, the situation is particularly dire, as many spend years searching for jobs that match their qualifications.
The education sector, while producing thousands of graduates annually, faces its own challenges. Public universities like Bayero University, Kano, are often underfunded, with outdated facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and frequent strikes by academic staff. Despite these obstacles, institutions like BUK continue to produce exceptional talent, with first-class graduates representing the cream of the crop. These students often excel in competitive academic environments, demonstrating resilience and intellectual prowess. However, the lack of opportunities post-graduation means that many of these bright minds are either unemployed, underemployed, or forced to seek opportunities abroad.
President Tinubu’s pledge was seen as a step toward addressing these systemic issues. By offering automatic employment, the government appeared to recognize the value of investing in its most talented graduates. Similarly, the scholarship promise aligned with global trends, where countries like China and India have successfully used international education programs to build a skilled workforce. However, the failure to follow through on these promises risks reinforcing the perception that the government is out of touch with the needs of its citizens.
Government’s Silence: A Cause for Concern
The lack of clarity surrounding the implementation of Tinubu’s pledge is a significant point of contention. According to sources within the Ministry of Education, no framework has been established to facilitate the promised jobs or scholarships. Typically, such initiatives would require coordination between multiple government agencies, including the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for international scholarships). However, there appears to be no centralized plan or timeline for executing the president’s directive.
One official, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the announcement may have been made without prior consultation with relevant stakeholders. “The president’s speech was well-received, but it seems like the details were not worked out beforehand,” the official said. “There’s no clear budget allocation for the scholarships, and the civil service is already dealing with a bloated workforce. It’s not as simple as just giving out jobs.”
This lack of planning is not uncommon in Nigeria’s political landscape, where leaders often make grandiose promises during public appearances without outlining actionable steps. Such promises can boost public morale in the short term but often lead to disillusionment when they fail to materialize. In the case of the BUK graduates, the absence of communication from the government has fueled speculation that the pledge was a publicity stunt rather than a genuine policy initiative.
The Graduates’ Plight: Stories of Frustration
For the 201 first-class graduates, the delay in fulfilling Tinubu’s promise has real-world consequences. Many of these students come from families that sacrificed significantly to support their education. In Nigeria, where the cost of education can be prohibitive, even at public universities, these graduates often carry the weight of familial expectations. The promise of automatic employment and scholarships was seen as a reward for their hard work and a chance to uplift their families.
One graduate, Aisha Mohammed (name changed for privacy), shared her story. Aisha, who graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Science, had hoped to secure a job in the public sector to support her younger siblings’ education. “My parents sold their farmland to pay for my school fees,” she said. “When I heard about the president’s promise, I thought it was my chance to give back to them. But now, I’m just waiting, and it’s hard to stay hopeful.”
Another graduate, Chukwudi Okeke (name changed), expressed frustration at the lack of transparency. “If the government isn’t ready to fulfill the promise, they should at least tell us,” he said. “We deserve to know what’s happening so we can plan our lives. I was hoping to start a master’s program abroad, but without the scholarship, I can’t afford it.”
These stories highlight the human cost of unfulfilled promises. For many of these graduates, the delay is not just a bureaucratic inconvenience but a setback that affects their career aspirations, financial stability, and mental well-being.
Broader Implications: Trust in Government and Brain Drain
The failure to deliver on Tinubu’s pledge has broader implications for Nigeria’s governance and development. Trust in government institutions is already low in Nigeria, with many citizens skeptical of leaders’ promises due to a history of unfulfilled commitments. The current situation risks further eroding public confidence in the Tinubu administration, which has faced criticism for its handling of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
Moreover, the delay in providing scholarships could exacerbate Nigeria’s brain drain problem. Known as the “japa” phenomenon—a slang term for emigration—many of Nigeria’s brightest minds are leaving the country in search of better opportunities. According to the World Bank, Nigeria lost over 10,000 skilled professionals to emigration in 2024 alone, including doctors, engineers, and academics. By failing to provide opportunities for its first-class graduates, the government risks pushing these talented individuals to seek opportunities abroad, further depleting Nigeria’s human capital.
The international scholarship component of Tinubu’s pledge was particularly significant in this context. By enabling graduates to study abroad and return with advanced skills, the government could have created a pipeline of talent to drive innovation and development. However, the lack of follow-through undermines this potential, leaving graduates with little choice but to explore other avenues, often outside Nigeria.
Government’s Track Record: A Pattern of Promises?
This is not the first time the Tinubu administration has faced criticism for failing to deliver on promises. Since taking office in May 2023, the president has made several high-profile commitments, including pledges to revitalize the economy, improve security, and reform the education sector. While some progress has been made—such as the introduction of student loans and the removal of certain taxes on small businesses—many of these initiatives have been hampered by implementation challenges.
For example, the student loan scheme, launched in 2024, was touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s education sector. However, reports indicate that bureaucratic bottlenecks and inadequate funding have limited its impact, with many eligible students unable to access the loans. Similarly, promises to create jobs through infrastructure projects have been slowed by funding constraints and delays in project execution.
The case of the BUK graduates fits into this pattern of ambitious promises followed by slow or nonexistent action. Critics argue that the administration’s tendency to announce policies without clear implementation plans reflects a broader issue of governance in Nigeria, where political rhetoric often takes precedence over practical solutions.
What Needs to Be Done?
To address the current situation and restore confidence among the affected graduates, the federal government must take immediate and transparent action. Below are some steps that could help fulfill Tinubu’s pledge and mitigate the damage caused by the delay:
Establish a Clear Framework: The government should create a dedicated task force to oversee the implementation of the jobs and scholarships program. This task force should include representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and relevant international partners to ensure coordination and accountability.
Communicate with Graduates: The affected students deserve regular updates on the status of the promise. The government should establish a communication channel, such as a dedicated website or contact office, where graduates can receive information and submit inquiries.
Secure Funding: The scholarships and jobs will require significant financial resources. The government must allocate a specific budget for the program and ensure transparency in how the funds are disbursed.
Partner with International Institutions: To facilitate the scholarship component, the government should collaborate with foreign universities and organizations to identify suitable programs for the graduates. Existing frameworks, such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme, could serve as a model.
Streamline Civil Service Recruitment: The promise of automatic employment must be reconciled with the realities of Nigeria’s public sector, which is often criticized for being overstaffed and inefficient. The government could explore alternative employment opportunities, such as placements in priority sectors like technology, healthcare, and education.
Learn from Past Mistakes: To prevent similar situations in the future, the government should ensure that all public commitments are backed by detailed plans and stakeholder consultations before they are announced.
Voices from Civil Society
Civil society organizations and education advocacy groups have also weighed in on the issue, calling for greater accountability from the government. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has long criticized the government’s handling of education, described the delay as “unacceptable” and urged the administration to act swiftly.
“This is a clear example of the government making promises it cannot keep,” said Dr. Adebayo Ogunleye, a spokesperson for ASUU. “These graduates are the future of our country, and they deserve better. The government must stop playing politics with education and start delivering on its commitments.”
Similarly, the Nigerian Youth Parliament, a body representing young Nigerians, called on President Tinubu to personally intervene in the matter. “Our youth are tired of empty promises,” said Amina Bello, a member of the parliament. “We need action, not words. These graduates have worked hard and deserve the opportunities they were promised.”
A Call for Accountability
As Nigeria grapples with economic and social challenges, the unfulfilled promise to the 201 first-class graduates of Bayero University, Kano, serves as a stark reminder of the gap between rhetoric and reality in governance. For these students, the delay is more than just a bureaucratic hiccup—it’s a betrayal of trust that threatens their futures and reinforces skepticism about the government’s ability to deliver.
President Tinubu’s administration has an opportunity to turn this situation around by taking swift and transparent action. By fulfilling the promise of jobs and scholarships, the government can demonstrate its commitment to Nigeria’s youth and its most talented minds. Failure to do so, however, risks deepening disillusionment and driving more of Nigeria’s brightest stars to seek opportunities elsewhere.
As the graduates wait for answers, the clock is ticking. The longer the delay, the greater the risk that this promise will become another footnote in Nigeria’s long history of unfulfilled commitments. For the sake of the 201 first-class graduates and the millions of Nigerians watching, the government must act now to prove that its words carry weight.
