Abuja, 13 March, 2025 – In a daring effort to beef up the health and smartly-being of Nigerians, the World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with the Nigerian executive to launch the National Health Fellows Program (NHFP). This transformative initiative, housed within the Sector Broad Approach (SWAp) Coordination Workplace below the Workplace of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, aims to deploy dedicated health fellows across all 774 local executive areas (LGAs) nationwide. By strengthening healthcare products and companies at the grassroots diploma, the programme seeks to address systemic challenges and drive lasting change in Nigeria’s health sector.
In 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu approved the NHFP as part of a broader strategy to create a sturdy, innovative, and smartly-geared up healthcare team. The programme will deploy younger professionals to every LGA to enhance health provider offer, beef up policy coordination, and foster community engagement.
WHO’s Feature in Supporting the NHFP
During the programme’s launch at the State Residence Convention Centre in Abuja, President Tinubu praised the initiative’s ambitious vision and rigorous selection activity, underscoring its importance for Nigeria’s healthcare future. Prior to the launch, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, directed the SWAp Coordination Workplace to expedite recruitment efforts.
To guarantee transparency and uphold global health standards, Minister Pate tasked WHO, the lead health agency and technical partner, with chairing the recruitment committees across Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. With WHO leading the activity, the goal was to pick highly qualified professionals capable of serving communities nationwide.
The recruitment activity was meticulous. Candidates from all 774 LGAs submitted applications online, adopted by a pre-screening phase that shortlisted the top three applicants per LGA based on predefined criteria. A state-diploma screening, led by WHO staff, then finalized the need of fellows.
In his goodwill message, WHO Country Representative Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo recommended the Nigerian executive for adopting innovative approaches to transform the health sector. “These extraordinary, transformative initiatives—including the National Health Fellowship Program, Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), State of Health Relate, Redesigned Neighborhood Health Staff Programme, and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC)—demonstrate Nigeria’s dedication to the World Health Assembly’s resolutions on universal health coverage,” he said. Dr Mulombo emphasised that such efforts are vital for accelerating progress toward universal health coverage in member states.
An enraged health fellow, Raji Latefat, from Ede Constituency, Osun State, views her fellowship as an opportunity to support and contribute her quota in improving the health products and companies in her community.
“After the training from government and WHO experts, I look forward to supporting the government in achieving the desired goal. I promise to do my work skilfully and achieve what is expected from me as a health fellow”, she said.
Dr Bello Ahmed, WHO Kaduna State Coordinator, shared insights from the screening activity in Kaduna State, the place over 50 applicants from 23 LGAs were evaluated. “By means of this activity, we acknowledged talented candidates for the Health Fellowship Programme, contributing to enhanced leadership and talents within Nigeria’s health sector,” he renowned. Once deployed, the fellows are anticipated to reinforce state governments in implementing national and state-diploma health policies, ensuring alignment with global greatest practices. Their roles will also include training and monitoring health staff, streamlining processes, reducing bureaucracy, and improving the efficiency of health programmes.
WHO’s reinforce for the NHFP displays its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure via capacity building and team pattern. The organisation will provide technical assistance, policy guidance, and strategic oversight to guarantee the programme aligns with global health standards.
Expected Impact of the NHFP
The NHFP is poised to create a ripple enact of sure health outcomes across Nigeria. Key anticipated advantages include:
• Improved Healthcare Access: By stationing fellows in every LGA, the programme will enhance healthcare accessibility for underserved communities.
• Reinforced Health Crew: Fellows will gain hands-on skills and training, contributing to the long-length of time pattern of Nigeria’s health sector.
• Enhanced Disease Surveillance and Response: Backed by the executive and WHO, fellows will play a critical role in monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks at the local diploma.
• Neighborhood Engagement and Awareness: Fellows will lead health campaigns, educate communities on preventive healthcare measures, and drive grassroots-diploma interventions.
As the NHFP unfolds, it is far anticipated to support as a model for formative years-pushed healthcare transformation, paving the way for a more resilient and efficient health gadget in Nigeria.
Progress and Looking Ahead
Since its launch, the NHFP has sparked widespread optimism about the way forward for healthcare in Nigeria. Notably, over 774 health fellows have already been deployed across the nation to support in local executive areas, marking a significant milestone in the programme’s rollout. These fellows are now actively working to bridge gaps in healthcare offer, toughen local health methods, and foster have confidence between communities and health authorities.
With WHO’s technical skills and the Nigerian executive’s leadership, the NHFP is smartly-positioned to address longstanding challenges and convey measurable impact at the grassroots diploma.
The National Health Fellows Programme represents a critical step toward achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria. By empowering a new generation of health professionals to lead change, this initiative holds the promise of a healthier, more equitable future for all Nigerians.
