By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Government has issued its final reminder for eligible Nigerians to apply for the second cohort of the National Health Fellows (NHF) Programme as the application deadline of 30th November 2025 approaches.
The programme, a flagship national initiative aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery, continues to serve as a critical strategy for expanding the country’s frontline health workforce through the recruitment, training and deployment of young professionals across all 774 local government areas.
Officials describe the NHF Programme as a major effort to close long-standing gaps in community-level health systems by ensuring that rural and underserved communities receive support from trained fellows equipped to improve local health outcomes.
The first cohort, admitted in January 2025, has already completed its intensive training and is currently deployed nationwide, where fellows are actively engaged in community health interventions, disease surveillance, maternal and child health support and grassroots coordination of primary healthcare activities.
Their presence has enhanced mobilisation for preventive services, strengthened community engagement and provided additional manpower where shortages previously hindered service delivery.
According to the Federal Government, the ongoing application window is open to Nigerians aged 25 to 35 with qualifications in health sciences, information technology, social sciences or related disciplines.
Prospective applicants are expected to demonstrate strong commitment to community service and readiness to contribute to national public health improvement.
The selection process remains highly competitive, involving rigorous screening, competency evaluation and interviews to ensure that only qualified and motivated candidates progress into the fellowship.
Successful applicants admitted into the programme will participate in structured training modules covering public health basics, leadership, disease prevention, community engagement and data reporting, all designed to prepare them for real-world field responsibilities.
Following training, fellows will undergo supervised placement in primary healthcare settings across the country, where they will apply their skills in addressing pressing health challenges while gaining practical professional experience.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on the direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and implemented through the Sector Wide Approach Coordination Office, oversees the programme with support from both national and international partners committed to strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed the programme’s purpose, noting that it aims to cultivate a new generation of healthcare leaders capable of driving sustainable improvements in community health.
He highlighted the success recorded by the first cohort as evidence of the capacity of Nigerian youth to contribute meaningfully to national development when provided with the right platform and guidance.
As the deadline nears, the Federal Government is urging all eligible candidates to submit their applications promptly, emphasising that admission remains strictly merit-based and that the fellowship represents an opportunity to participate directly in reducing preventable diseases and improving primary healthcare systems.
Applicants seeking additional information are encouraged to consult the official communication channels of the National Health Fellows Programme.
