Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has praised the selection process that brought in 774 National Health Fellows (NHF), each from the local government areas in the country.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate also said the Health Fellowship is in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap to building a resilient health care system for the country.
The NHF is a three-year program, spanning 2025–2027, with the aim of producing the next generation leaders in Nigeria’s health Sector.
While highlighting the importance of the NHF program in driving health sector reforms, paving the path for future leaders in the health system, the Minister commended the SWAp Coordination Office for the rigorous but, honest approach in putting together the selection and orientation processes that brought in the fellows.
“No fellow was chosen based on personal connections, Mr. Pate stated on Wednesday during a visit to eleven training centers in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
“These are future leaders in the health sector who will accelerate health reforms. They have the opportunity to be coached and mentored to contribute and actualise the vision of President Bola Tinubu, Prof. Pate said while speaking to journalists at the end of the day’s visit to the centres.
“We are pleased to receive all of them, very qualified on merit based, with good representation of the women, men, the disabled.
“Every applicant who is committed has something to offer across the country and to learn so we can together build a stronger, resilient health system, in line with Mr. President’s direction for a better health welfare in the country”, he enumerated.
He urged the fellows to make use of the opportunity and seize the moment to contribute effectively to the growth of the country’s health sector.
The Minister also gave encouraging words to other unsuccessful applicants whom he said should participate in the Associate Health Fellowship.
National Coordinator of SWAp called on the fellows to be the drivers of their future and serve as agents of change in transforming their communities.”Identify problems and work towards solutions.
“Your role is to help transform your local health system”, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq said while describing the fellows as ambassadors of the program.
A facilitator at the orientation training, Dr. Ayodeji Shittu, while speaking with the press, said the exercise focused on leadership, problem solving, mentorship and data analysis.
“The objective is to improve the health system, meaning it’s not just about medicine but, public health governance, social sciences, and interdisciplinary skills that will improve healthcare delivery.
One of the trainees from Gombe, a state in northeastern Nigeria, Abubakar Abdullahi appreciated the “intelligence and capability” based selection of the program.
A female trainee, Nadia Abdullahi Ahmed from Bauchi local government area commended the program’s transparency and quality processes, while Mfom Okon Lazarus from Etim Ekpo local government area in Akwa Ibom State, expressed excitement for the truly merit based exercise.
A public launch of the landmark program to cater for the needs of the people is expected to take place soon, according to the Minister, Prof. Pate.