National Health Fellows Programme (NHF) For Nigerian Professionals
- Omran Aburayya
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you’re a young Nigerian professional ready to make an impact in health and community development, the National Health Fellows Programme (NHF) is now open for applications — combining mentorship, fieldwork and leadership development to accelerate your career in the health sector. Here's everything you need to know.
✨ Programme at a Glance
Location: Nigeria (nation‑wide across all local government areas)
Host institution: The Federal Government of Nigeria, via the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (SWAp) Coordination Office under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Programme Type: Fellowship (12‑month leadership & field‑deployment programme)
Target group: Young Nigerians aged 25–35 years with a bachelor’s degree (health‑related field, IT, or social sciences) and an interest or experience in primary health‑care, community work or health‑systems strengthening.
Fields of focus: Health and health‑related disciplines, Information Technology, Social Sciences; with emphasis on primary health care, community health innovation, health system reform.
Value & coverage: Participants receive a stipend to support their living expenses during the 12‑month tenure.
Duration: 12 months of full‑time engagement (training, fieldwork, mentorship)
Application deadline: For the 2025 cohort the deadline was 27 January 2025.
Start date: Following selection, orientation and deployment; the launch was formally announced March 6 2025.
📚 Programme Overview
The National Health Fellows Programme is designed to create a cadre of emerging leaders who will drive innovation and transformation in Nigeria’s health sector. The fellowship places young professionals across all 774 LGAs in Nigeria — equipping them with training, fieldwork experience and mentorship to strengthen primary health‑care delivery and embed accountability mechanisms.
The structure includes:
In‑Person Workshops: Interactive sessions led by health sector, IT and social science experts on leadership, innovation, strategy and health system reform.
Asynchronous (Virtual) Learning: Online courses and resources that fellows can access at their own pace – enabling flexibility alongside field commitments.
Mentorship: One‑on‑one guidance from experienced professionals to support fellows in career growth, leadership development and project execution.
Capstone Projects: Practical assignments where fellows apply their skills to real challenges in primary health‑care centres or community health initiatives, ideally within their LGA of deployment.
Collaboration & Networking: Opportunities to engage with peers, stakeholders, health‑sector leaders, and development partners — building a professional network and fostering cross‑discipline innovation.
🎁 Benefits of the Programme
A stipend to support living expenses during the 12‑month full‑time engagement.
Professional development via training, leadership workshops and mentorship.
Hands‑on field experience in real‑world health system settings (primary health‑care centres, community health projects).
Deployment across all local government areas — a rare opportunity to influence reform at the grassroots level.
Exposure to best practices, development partner frameworks (including support from the World Health Organization) and national‑level health reform initiatives.
A stepping‑stone for future leadership roles in health policy, health systems management, community health, or health technology.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the National Health Fellows Programme you must meet the following:
Be between 25 and 35 years old at the time of application.
Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a health‑related discipline, Information Technology, or a Social Science.
Demonstrate analytical skills, entrepreneurial drive, leadership potential and interest or experience in primary health‑care, community health projects or health‑related NGOs.
Be available for full‑time commitment for the duration of the 12‑month programme (no concurrent full‑time employment allowed).
Be an indigene of the state in which you apply; preference given to applicants resident in the Local Government Area (LGA) of application.
Possess a smartphone with data capability (for virtual learning, Zoom/WhatsApp access) and be able to participate in online training when required.
Provide a recommendation or supporting reference from a university dean, NYSC primary place of assignment, or a respected organisation that attests to your character and leadership potential.
📝 Application Procedure
Visit the official website of the National Health Fellows Programme and complete the online application form.
Fill in all required fields carefully — questions cover personal details, state/LGA of origin and residence, education background, degree field, experience in PHC/NGO/community work, smartphone availability, motivation, etc.
Upload or be ready to provide the following documents for verification (upon selection):
Resume (CV)
Birth Certificate or affidavit of age declaration
State of Origin Certificate
Bachelor’s Degree Certificate (or equivalent)
NYSC Discharge Certificate (if applicable)
Selection process: After submission, shortlisted candidates will undergo virtual and/or physical interview stages.
On successful selection you will receive an offer and onboarding instructions, then commence training, fieldwork and deployment.
ℹ️ Important note: There is no application fee — avoid scams. The programme emphasises that no fee is required to apply.
👌🏻 Why This Opportunity Matters
For young professionals looking to build careers in health systems, policy, technology in health, or community‑impact roles, the National Health Fellows Programme offers a unique combination of structured development, field engagement at grassroots level and networking with high‑level actors in Nigeria’s health reform. By being embedded in local government areas, fellows gain frontline insight into challenges and opportunities of primary health care — and are positioned to contribute meaningfully. The endorsement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and support from the WHO further underscore its strategic importance.
