By Joyce Haruna
The Kogi State Ministry of Health has conducted interviews to select candidates for the 2026 National Health Fellows Programme.
The exercise took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lokoja, where the State Commissioner for Health, Doctor. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, said the programme was designed to create job opportunities for Nigerian youths while strengthening human resource capacity in the health sector.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steven Momoh Aziz, Doctor. Adeiza commended the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as a clear demonstration of the value of hard work and selfless service to the nation.
Chairman of the interview panel and Kogi State Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Doctor. Mahmood Saeed, explained that the programme, which was launched in 2025 by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, was aimed at deploying at least one health fellow to each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to improve healthcare delivery and build local capacity.
Doctor. Saeed stated that similar interviews were being conducted simultaneously across all states of the federation.
Also speaking, the State SWAP Desk Officer, Doctor. Bola Jonah, disclosed that 63 candidates were shortlisted and forwarded to the state ministry of health, representing three candidates from each local government area.
Doctor. Jonah said successful applicants would undergo a one-year fellowship programme focused on public health training and hands-on professional experience.
Edited by Ajifa Ainoko
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