Federal Government Launches Nationwide Recruitment To Strengthen Primary Healthcare

The Federal Government has launched a new mass recruitment drive for the National Health Fellows Programme, aimed at expanding the initiative after the successful deployment of 774 fellows earlier this year to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) nationwide.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, the programme has significantly enhanced transparency, strengthened accountability, and supported the revitalisation of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system. Speaking on his social media platform, Pate noted that the National Health Fellows Programme, launched under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was designed to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders in the country.

“From over 360,000 applications nationwide, 774 exceptional young Nigerians were selected, and their collective impact has been felt across all 774 local government areas,” Pate said. He added that applications for the second cohort opened on November 1 and will close on November 30, urging young Nigerians from all disciplines to seize the opportunity. Details of the application process are available at healthfellows.ng.

The programme assigns fellows as accountability officers responsible for overseeing the construction of 8,800 new primary healthcare facilities, ensuring both operational excellence and financial integrity. The initiative also supports government efforts to reduce unemployment and accelerate health sector reforms, forming part of the Federal Government’s broader Four-Point Agenda to transform grassroots healthcare delivery.

Since 2023, more than ₦100 billion has been allocated to PHCs through the revitalised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), including ₦50 billion in the first quarter of 2025 and ₦32.9 billion in October 2025. The funds are intended to modernise healthcare infrastructure, provide essential medicines, and expand access to quality primary care.

Describing the National Health Fellows initiative as central to ongoing healthcare reforms, Pate called on qualified Nigerians to apply promptly, emphasizing that the programme represents a “Nigerian renaissance in full motion and in real time.”