By Rotimi Odofin
The Kogi State Ministry of Health, led by the Honourable Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, conducted interviews for the National Health Fellows Programme from Monday, January 12th to Wednesday, January 14th. The interviews were held at the Ministry of Health’s conference hall in Lokoja.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steven Momoh Aziz, praised the Federal Government’s initiative. He highlighted that the program not only provides employment opportunities for Nigerian youths but also enhances the human resource capacity within the nation’s health sector. He underscored the significance of hard work and selfless service to humanity, noting that such virtues yield lasting rewards.
During the interview process, aimed at selecting one national fellow per local government area, the chairman of the panel and state coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Mahmood Saeed, explained that the exercise was designed to select candidates for the 2026 National Health Fellows Program. He stated that the program, initiated in 2025 by the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, seeks to deploy at least one health fellow to each of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria to strengthen the health system and enhance the capacity of local health professionals.
Dr. Mahmood Saeed noted that interviews are being conducted simultaneously across all states of the federation. To ensure transparency and objectivity, candidates applied online, and three candidates from each local government were shortlisted and invited for the interview. He further disclosed that the interview panel comprises seasoned professionals of high integrity, including the Director, Dr. Barnabas Olusegun, representatives from civil society organizations, and traditional rulers.and other stakeholders.
Also speaking, Doctor Emmanuel BolaJonah stated that a total of sixty-three candidates have been identified and sent to Kogi State Ministry of Health, amounting to three candidates per local government area. He assured that after the physical interview only one health fellow will be selected to represent their own local government He added that successful candidates will undergo a one-year fellowship program designed to build capacity in public health and provide hands-on practical experience. Fellows will work under experienced mentors who will guide them through various aspects of public health practice. At the end of the program, fellows are expected to execute a community-based public health project in their respective local governments.
“They are being groomed as leaders of tomorrow. If every year we produce 774 health fellows across Nigeria, one can imagine the strength of leadership we will have in the health sector over time,” he stated. The SWAP desk officer in the state further disclosed that the fellowship program is open to medical professionals, ICT experts, and graduates from the social sciences, reflecting its multidisciplinary approach to strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
Doctor Bola Emmanuel Jonah noted that the media were involved to witness the transparency in the selection process and create awareness
One of the candidates, Doctor Ojonigo Igala from the ibaji Local Government Area, described the interview process as transparent and encouraging.
She promised to take her experiences to her community if it was eventually shortlisted.
Also speaking,a candidate from kogi local government Area, Yahaya Dauda described the interview process as impressive and promised to put in his best when shortlisted.
The National Health Fellowship Programme was put in place by the Federal Ministry of Health through the Sector Wide Approach office (SWAP) to train graduates in health administration to manage health emergencies at the Local Government Areas across the country.
