Final Interviews Underway for Nigeria’s National Health Fellows 2.0 Programme
The SWAp Coordination Office under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will from tomorrow, Monday, January 12, 2026, commence the final interview stage of the National Health Fellows Program (NHF) 2.0.
This milestone marks a crucial step in a national journey that began with an open call, drawing over 150,000 applicants from all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria. The National Health Fellowship program offers a unique opportunity for a new generation of health leaders – one from each LGA – to gain hands-on experience and contribute to Nigeria’s health sector reform.
The selection process has been thorough, inclusive, and merit-based, leveraging digital screening tools for fairness and efficiency, followed by rigorous shortlisting. Top candidates now face in-person interviews in their states, with panels comprising representatives from:
– WHO State Coordinator (Chair)
– State Ministry of Health
– State Primary Health Care Development Agency
– Academia
– ALGON Chair
– Traditional Leaders
– SWAp Desk Officer (Secretary)
This multi-stakeholder approach underscores Nigeria’s commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive health leadership development.
According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, “This process is part of our nation-building. We commend the extraordinary interest shown by young Nigerians and reaffirm our commitment to fairness, transparency, and excellence. We look forward to meeting and empowering the finest candidates from each LGA, who will drive health system transformation.””
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated “What we are witnessing through this program is a new model of talent discovery and human capital development for the health sector. It is encouraging to see so many young Nigerians rise to the call to serve. The integrity of this process will ensure that only the most committed are selected to lead change from the grassroots.”
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kachollom S. Daju, emphasized that the program is helping to institutionalize a culture of transparency and excellence within the public service recruitment processes, noting that the selected fellows would represent the future of the nation’s health system
A statement released by the SwAp Communications Desk stated that successful candidates will participate in a residential national training programme in Abuja, before being deployed to their respective Local Government Areas.
