FG launches mass recruitment for National Health Fellows Program

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a fresh mass recruitment of National Health Fellows, expanding the program after the successful deployment of 774 fellows earlier this year to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the country.

The expansion follows what the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described as the fellows’ visible impact in improving transparency, strengthening accountability, and supporting the revitalisation of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.

President Bola Tinubu granted automatic employment to the Fellows when the programme was launched in March.

Speaking at the launch at the State House Conference Centre, President Tinubu told the fellows, “You are hired,” emphasizing his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

Pate, who announced this on his X handle on Monday, said: “Earlier this year, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, we launched the National Health Fellows Program #NHF, a bold step towards building the next generation of healthcare leaders in Nigeria.

“From over 360,000 applications nationwide, 774 outstanding young Nigerians were meritoriously selected, and their collective impact has been remarkable across the 774 Local Government Areas @AlgonNationalHQ in Nigeria.”

Pate announced that applications for the second cohort will open on 1 November 2025 and close on November 30, urging young Nigerians from all disciplines to seize the opportunity. “For details of the application process, visit healthfellows.ng,” he added.

According to Pate, during the launch of the first cohort, the fellows are tasked with reinforcing accountability in PHCs and will serve as oversight officers for the planned construction of 8,800 new primary healthcare facilities across the country.

Their role, he said, “Is crucial in ensuring the fiduciary integrity and operational excellence of each facility within their domains of responsibility.

“There will be a State-level, multi-screening exercise in each Local Government Area of the Federation. 

“The successful applicants selected as fellows will serve as accountability officers, overseeing the ongoing construction of 8,800 new PHCs bringing the total to 17,618 by 2027, while ensuring the fiduciary integrity and operational excellence of each facility”.

The programme targets young Nigerians from all 774 LGAs, supporting government efforts to reduce unemployment while accelerating health sector reforms, he added, explaining that the initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader Four-Point Agenda to overhaul healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

Since 2023, more than ₦100 billion has been disbursed to PHCs nationwide under the revitalised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). 

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This includes ₦50 billion released in the first quarter of 2025 and ₦32.9 billion approved in October 2025.

The funds are intended to modernise infrastructure, provide essential medicines, support operations and expand access to quality primary healthcare.

Pate described the National Health Fellows initiative as central to ongoing reforms, “This is a Nigerian renaissance in full motion and in real time,” he said, urging qualified Nigerians to submit their applications as soon as the portal opens.