In a strategic move to revitalise the country’s healthcare system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced on 6 March 2025 the appointment of 774 Health Fellows, one from each local government area in the country. These Fellows, drawn from the country’s vibrant young population after a rigorous selection process, are trained professionals tasked with monitoring and enhancing the delivery of primary healthcare services. Their role is to bridge the gap between policy and implementation by ensuring that health centres operate effectively, reporting challenges, and providing recommendations to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The programme, initiated under the guidance of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Welfare Services, Professor Ali Pate, aims to provide real-time insights into the state of healthcare facilities nationwide. By embedding these Fellows within communities, the government hopes to ensure better oversight, accountability, and responsiveness in the healthcare sector.
During the inauguration ceremony at the State House, President Tinubu highlighted the significance of this initiative, noting that with over 60 per cent of Nigerians under 30, the country possesses a dynamic and resourceful workforce. He emphasised that the National Health Fellows Programme is not only about job creation but also about empowering young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development. Their responsibilities include assessing healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, tracking the performance of health workers, and identifying urgent areas for intervention.
President Tinubu also emphasised the programme’s vision to cultivate a cadre of healthcare leaders capable of driving sustained change and innovation within the sector. He urged the Fellows to view themselves as integral to this vision, aiming for rapid and enduring growth in healthcare.
This initiative is commendable, as it comes at a crucial time when the country continues to struggle with the loss of skilled health professionals to better-paying opportunities abroad. By involving young professionals in healthcare governance, the government will create a pipeline of future health leaders who understand the sector’s challenges and are equipped to drive long-term reforms.
The Health Fellows, who commenced training on 27 February 2025 under the Sector Wide Approach coordination office, have the potential to make a substantial impact, particularly at the primary healthcare level. Many communities have been underserved for years, and the deployment of these Fellows to monitor Primary Healthcare Centres across all local government areas offers hope for improved outcomes
However, for this programme to succeed, it must go beyond mere appointments. There must be clear operational guidelines, adequate training, and a robust system for tracking the impact of these fellows. Similar initiatives in the past, such as the N-Power Programme and the 774,000 Special Public Works (SPW) Programme, provided employment opportunities but struggled with sustainability and measurable impact. The Health Fellows Programme must avoid these pitfalls by ensuring that its objectives are well-defined, its participants are properly supervised, and its findings translate into concrete policy actions.
Furthermore, while the government has expressed its commitment to expanding PHCs from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027, reports indicate that only about 25 per cent of existing centres are fully functional. It is critical that before building new centres, resources are directed toward rehabilitating and equipping those that already exist. Otherwise, expansion without sustainability will only deepen the inefficiencies in the system.
Moreover, while the commencement of the Health Fellows initiative is a positive development in the country’s healthcare history, its sustainability beyond President Tinubu’s administration remains a concern. Historically, discontinuity in government programmes and policies has hindered progress in the health sector. Therefore, for meaningful and lasting advancements, successive governments must set aside partisan differences and continue such beneficial programmes as this in the spirit of nation-building.
It is our belief that, if effectively implemented and sustained, the National Health Fellows Programme is poised to bring lasting improvements to Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, ensuring that even the most remote communities receive the quality healthcare they deserve.
