By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
TO BOLSTER Nigeria’s healthcare system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted automatic employment to 774 fellows of the National Health Programme.
During the programme’s launch at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, the President addressed the young professionals assigned to monitor Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all 774 local government areas.
He declared, “You are hired,” ensuring their absorption into the workforce after their one-year tenure.
This initiative showcases the administration’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s youthful potential.
With over 60% of Nigerians under 30, the President emphasised the nation’s energetic and dynamic youth population as a catalyst for innovation, economic prosperity, and social transformation.
The National Health Fellows Programme, approved in April 2024, aims to enhance accountability and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
The fellows, selected from over 359,000 applicants, have been undergoing training since February 27, 2025, under the Sector Wide Approach coordination office.
Their primary role involves monitoring and tracking the development and performance of PHCs nationwide, ensuring that financial inflows are effectively utilised.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its role in revolutionising Nigeria’s health sector.
He described the programme as a “gift and opportunity” presented by President Tinubu, urging the fellows to seize this chance to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The programme also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to invest in human capital development, reflecting the Renewed Hope Agenda of health reforms.
By deploying these fellows across the country, the administration says it aims to drive innovation and meaningful change within the healthcare sector, ultimately achieving universal health coverage.
Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Youth Minister Ayodele Olawande, and traditional leaders, including the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, also attended the launch, offering additional encouragement to the fellows with inspiring messages.
