The Federal Government has commenced the recruitment process for the National Health Fellows Programme, a presidential initiative aimed at mobilising and equipping young medical professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, particularly at the grassroots.
The programme targets the recruitment of 13 youths from across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State to boost local capacity for health system reforms and improve healthcare service delivery, especially in rural communities.
Implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with state ministries of health and development partners, the initiative is designed to groom a new generation of leaders for the health sector.
Under the programme, selected fellows will be deployed to primary healthcare facilities across the country’s 774 local government areas, with each local council hosting one National Health Fellow.
Officials said the ongoing selection exercise in Nasarawa State is aimed at identifying competent candidates, as panel members assess applicants on relevant professional, leadership and management skills required to enhance healthcare delivery at the community level.
The selection panel emphasised that the process would be strictly merit-based to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility.
Successful candidates will serve for a one-year duration, during which they are expected to contribute meaningfully to primary healthcare development and policy implementation at the local level.
The National Health Fellows Programme underscores both national and state governments’ commitment to youth leadership development and sustainable improvements in the health sector.
