Nasarawa Conducts Interviews for NHF 2.0 Cohort 2

By David Odama

The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), the Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other development partners, has concluded the final interview phase for Cohort 2 of the National Health Fellowship (NHF 2.0) Programme.
The interviews took place at the headquarters of the State Ministry of Health in Lafia from January 12 to 13, 2026, representing a key stage in the selection of young professionals expected to support improved healthcare delivery at the community level in Nasarawa State and nationwide.
The exercise was conducted by a broad-based panel made up of representatives from the State and Federal Ministries of Health, WHO, academia, traditional institutions and the State SWAp Desk Office. The composition of the panel ensured a transparent, credible and merit-driven selection process.
Participants in the interview described the process as rigorous and fair, noting that the fellowship is designed to build sustainable capacity in the health sector while offering young professionals hands-on, community-based experience.
Speaking on the objectives of the programme, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Rabiu, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Nigeria, and a member of the interview committee, said the fellowship places strong emphasis on community impact.
According to him, selection criteria extend beyond academic excellence to include candidates’ understanding of, and connection to, the communities they are expected to serve.
“We are looking for individuals who live within these communities, understand their challenges and can make a meaningful difference,” he stated.
Dr. Rabiu described the National Health Fellowship as a laudable initiative of the Honourable Minister of Health, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills in healthcare delivery, information technology and leadership, in order to strengthen the health system from the grassroots.
He added that the programme offers beneficiaries mentorship, professional exposure and development opportunities that could lead to future national and international engagements.
The NHF 2.0 is a nationwide initiative designed to deploy one fellow to each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas. In Nasarawa State, 39 candidates were shortlisted for the physical interviews, out of which 13 fellows will eventually be selected to serve across the state’s local government councils.
The programme has continued to attract wide interest across the country, with more than 150,000 applications received for the limited slots available, underscoring the growing enthusiasm among young Nigerians to contribute to the health sector and national development.
Upon deployment, successful fellows will be attached to Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in their respective LGAs, where they will support services including routine immunisation, family planning, basic clinical care, health education, health promotion and evidence-based planning.
The Federal Government has earlier indicated that fellows from the first cohort may be considered for employment after completing their one-year fellowship, a development regarded by stakeholders as a potential boost to health workforce development, although further details are still awaited.
Also speaking, the SWAp Desk Officer at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Anna Joshua, commended the performance of fellows from the first cohort in the state.
She described the interview exercise as well-coordinated and credible, in line with best practices in health sector governance, and appreciated the World Health Organisation and other development partners for their continued support in strengthening the health system in Nasarawa State.
With the conclusion of the interviews, Nasarawa State joins other states in advancing the NHF 2.0 Programme, widely seen as a critical step towards strengthening primary healthcare and improving health outcomes at the grassroots.