Nasarawa Completes Final Interviews for National Health Fellowship, Advances Community-Focused Healthcare Drive

 Timescope news 

Nasarawa State has concluded the final interview phase for the second cohort of the National Health Fellowship (NHF 2.0), marking significant progress in a nationwide initiative to strengthen primary healthcare from the grassroots.

Convened by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other development partners, the interviews were held in Lafia on January 12–13, 2026.

The sessions aimed to select young professionals who will play pivotal roles in improving healthcare delivery at the community level across Nasarawa State and Nigeria more broadly.

A diverse interview panel—including representatives from state and federal health ministries, WHO, academia, traditional institutions, and the State SWAp Desk Office—oversaw the process, ensuring it remained transparent, merit-based, and inclusive.

Candidates described the interviews as thorough and fair, noting the fellowship’s design to build long-term health sector capacity while providing hands-on community experience.

Dr. Ahmed Rabiu, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at the Federal University of Nigeria's College of Medicine and a panel member, highlighted the programme’s emphasis on local impact.

“We are selecting fellows not only on academic qualifications but also on their ties to the communities they will serve. We want individuals who understand local challenges and can drive tangible change,” he stated.

Dr. Rabiu described the NHF as a commendable initiative by the Honourable Minister of Health, designed to equip young Nigerians with skills in healthcare delivery, information technology, and leadership. He added that fellows would receive mentorship and professional development, potentially opening doors to future opportunities with national and international organizations.

The NHF 2.0 programme plans to place one fellow in each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. In Nasarawa, 39 candidates were shortlisted for interviews, from which 13 will be selected to serve across the state’s LGAs.

The programme has generated substantial national interest, with over 150,000 applications received for limited slots—reflecting a strong desire among young Nigerians to contribute to the health sector’s development.

Upon deployment, fellows will work in Primary Health Care facilities, supporting immunization, family planning, basic clinical care, health education, and evidence-based planning—core components of community healthcare.

The Federal Government has indicated that first-cohort fellows may be considered for employment after their one-year service, a move welcomed as a boost to health workforce sustainability, though implementation details are still awaited.

Mrs. Anna Joshua, SWAp Desk Officer at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, praised the performance of the first cohort of fellows and described the ongoing selection process as credible and well-organized.

She also thanked WHO and development partners for their sustained support in strengthening Nasarawa’s health system.

With interviews completed, Nasarawa State now advances alongside other states in rolling out NHF 2.0—an initiative viewed as a crucial step toward reinforcing primary healthcare and improving health outcomes for communities nationwide.