NYSC, Yobe govt abandoned me after road accident — Ex-corper

A former corps member, Tijjani Salisu, tells KASIM MUHAMMAD about a road crash that changed his life while travelling home from his place of primary assignment in Kano State, his long recovery, and hope for employment

Where were you posted to serve as a corps member after you graduated from Yobe State University?

 I studied Sociology at Yobe State University, Damaturu, and I graduated on December 24, 2024. After my graduation, I was posted to Kano State in 2025, and I served at the Nigeria Police Headquarters, Bompai, in the Criminal Investigation Department.

 At the beginning, my experience was very exciting. I was learning new things under the police. I was seeing how cases were handled, how investigations were conducted, how issues were studied and how possible solutions were found.

 As a sociology graduate, I was also interested in understanding people and society, so the experience was giving me another opportunity to see some of the things I had learnt in school in a practical environment.

 I was enjoying my service, learning, and looking forward to completing the year and returning home to start the next chapter of my life. Unfortunately, about four months into the service, everything changed.

 What changed?

 I was involved in a serious road accident on November 16, 2025, which affected my life.

 Take us back to November 16, 2025, the day the incident happened.

 It was a day I can never forget. That morning, I went to a bus stop called Dorawa na Abba in Kano, Kano State, because I was travelling back to my hometown, Potiskum, in Yobe State.

 I paid for the transportation and was preparing to begin the journey, but before we left, I noticed that there was a lot of luggage and many people in the vehicle.

 I became concerned because I felt that the vehicle was carrying too much load and too many passengers. So, I spoke with the NURTW officials there about the situation.

 But they told me not to worry and assured me that the driver knew what he was doing, and that I should trust him. After they gave me the assurance, I accepted and entered the vehicle.

 Before we started the journey, I said, “Allah ya tsare,” meaning, “May Allah protect us.” We started travelling, and at some point, I brought out my phone and started using it. After we passed Shuwarin in Jigawa State, I could not remember anything. Everything became blank.

 When did you regain consciousness?

 I regained consciousness nine days after the road accident. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital bed. My family members were there, my friends were there and some of my fellow corps members were also there.

 That was when I began to understand that something very serious had happened to me. I had no memory of the accident. I could not explain what happened after we passed Shuwarin because I had lost consciousness.

 All I knew was that I left Kano and was travelling home, and the next thing I discovered nine days later was that I was in a hospital.

 What injuries did you sustain?

 I sustained several injuries. The major ones were a fractured backbone and lumbar spinal cord compression. I also suffered an open wound that required surgery. There were other injuries, but some of them had already healed.

 The major problem that we are still dealing with is my back. The injury affected my movement and my ability to walk normally. I have been undergoing rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

 How difficult was the first stage of your recovery?

 It was extremely difficult. There was a time when I could not even change my position while lying down. If I wanted to do so, I had to call my brothers to help me. Imagine being unable to turn your body when you are lying down.

 I could not even sit by myself and only depended on other people for many basic things. But Alhamdulillah, I have seen progress. Now, I can sit on my own, I can hold a walking frame, I can stand for several minutes and I can also walk for a short distance with the walking frame.

 I cannot walk a long distance yet. For now, I can move around inside the house, but I cannot go very far. When I remember where I started, I thank Allah for the progress I have made.

 As of September 16, 2026, it has been exactly 10 months since the accident happened on November 16, 2025. A lot can happen in 10 months, but for me, it has been a period of learning, patience, recovery and hope.

 There are days when things are difficult, but when I remember that I can now sit, stand and walk with a walking frame, I realise that I have made progress.

 How has the accident affected your life and the plans you had for the future?

 The accident disrupted many of my long-term plans. Before the accident, whenever something happened, I would tell myself, “After NYSC, I will do this and that.” I had plans. I wanted to return home; I wanted to continue my business, look for employment and settle down and begin my life properly.

 But the accident stopped many of those plans. This accident has delayed my plans, but I am still hopeful. I am hoping and praying that what looks like a delay today will eventually become something better in the future.

 Before the accident, what were your plans after completing your NYSC?

 I was thinking about returning home and settling down. I wanted to continue with my small business while also looking for a government job in Yobe State.

 It could have been teaching or another area where I could communicate with people, create awareness and contribute to society. I studied Sociology, and I believe I can speak to people and work with communities.

 So, my plan was to combine what I had learnt from school with whatever practical opportunity that would be available to me. I wanted to work; I wanted to become independent, and start building my life. But the accident came and interrupted all those plans.

 What has been the biggest challenge for you and your family since the accident?

 The biggest challenge has been financial difficulty. When someone suffers a serious injury, there are many things that have to be taken care of. There are medical expenses, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and also the ordinary expenses of daily life.

 All these things can become a burden on a family. My family has been doing its best. Alhamdulillah, we are still moving forward and we have continued to manage the situation as much as we can. But financially, it has been difficult.

 Are you still receiving medical treatment?

 For now, I am not undergoing any major medical treatment. However, I am still undergoing rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The physiotherapy is almost every day.

 You mentioned that you have skills apart from your university education. What can you do?

 I am also a tiler. I can do interlocking and floor tiling, and I have experience with that kind of work. But because of my current condition, I do not think I will be able to continue with heavy physical work in the future.

 The doctors have advised me to take care of my back and avoid heavy work because of the injury. So, even though I have that skill, I now have to think about work that is suitable for my condition. That is why I am also looking at opportunities where I can use my education and communication skills.

 What kind of job do you believe you can do now?

 I can work in either the private or government sector. What I need is an opportunity that matches my present condition. My condition does not mean that I cannot work. My hands are working, I can see, I can hear, I can speak and I can communicate with people.

 Since completing your NYSC, have you made efforts to seek assistance or employment?

 Yes, I have made several attempts to seek assistance. First, I approached the NYSC authorities. According to my experience, I expected something to be done after the accident. There was a promise of compensation, but I did not receive the support I expected.

 My family also approached our Yobe South lawmaker, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, about my situation. He said he would help, but up till now, I have not received the assistance I was expecting.

 We also approached the Zone C Senator, Senator Ibrahim Lawan, but nothing has been done for me there either. The Yobe State Government also collected all the evidence and documents relating to my situation, but up till now, I have not seen any action taken on my case.

 You also mentioned that you contacted an office connected to the Presidency. What happened from that angle?

 Yes. I personally contacted the Special Needs and Equal Opportunities office connected to the Presidency. I explained my situation to them. I was asked to provide evidence through WhatsApp, and I sent the evidence as requested.

 After that, I did not receive any response. I called, but my calls were not answered. I sent WhatsApp messages, but I did not receive any response. I also sent SMS messages, but there was no response. Up till now, I am still waiting. I believe that if somebody takes the time to look at my case properly, they will understand what I have gone through.

 What exactly are you asking the government to do for you?

 Financial assistance would help me, of course, but I don’t want financial assistance alone. Money can finish. If somebody gives you money today, you may use it for treatment, food or other expenses, and eventually the money will finish.

 What I really want is a permanent job. If I can get a permanent job, I can take care of myself, I can support my family and I can contribute to society. I can have something that continues beyond one particular payment.

 That is why I am appealing to the Yobe State Government to consider me for employment that is suitable for my condition. I want the government to look into my situation.

 I want them to look at what happened to me, including the injuries I sustained, the challenges I have faced and the fact that I have completed my education and NYSC. I am not asking the government to simply give me money and forget about me. I want an opportunity to work.