Physical interviews for the National Health Fellows (NHF) Programme, Cohort 2, have commenced across Nigeria this week, marking a major phase in the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to strengthen human capacity within the country’s health system.
The interview exercise, which began on Monday, January 12, 2026, is being conducted simultaneously in states across the federation, following months of screening and shortlisting from an application pool that exceeded 150,000 young Nigerians drawn from all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The development was announced by the SWAp Coordination Office under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which is implementing the programme as part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Large Turnout Reflects Growing Interest in Health Sector Service
According to the Ministry, the high number of applications received for NHF Cohort 2 reflects a growing interest among young Nigerians in contributing to public service, particularly in the health sector. Applicants came from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including medicine, nursing, public health, information technology, social sciences, and community development.
From the initial call for applications, candidates were subjected to multiple screening stages designed to ensure fairness, objectivity, and nationwide representation. These stages included automated digital screening, eligibility verification, and structured shortlisting before invitations were issued for the physical interview stage.
The physical interviews represent the final assessment before successful candidates are selected as National Health Fellows.
Interview Notifications and Access to Information
Candidates invited for the physical interview stage were notified through their registered email addresses. The Ministry confirmed that details such as interview venue, date, and scheduled time were communicated directly to candidates and are also accessible through the NHF candidate portal.
Applicants were advised to regularly check both their email inbox and portal dashboard to avoid missing important updates.
Officials also reminded candidates that attendance is strictly based on the information provided in their invitation and that only those who received official notifications are eligible to participate in the physical interviews.
Required Documents for Physical Interview
As part of the interview process, shortlisted candidates are required to present seven (7) hard copies of specific documents for verification by the interview panel.
The documents include:
NYSC Discharge Certificate or Exemption Letter
Local Government Area (LGA) Indigene Certificate
University or Higher Institution Certificate
Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
A current and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
National Identification Number (NIN) slip
Candidates were instructed to ensure that all documents are properly arranged and identical across the seven copies to facilitate smooth verification.
The Ministry further advised candidates to arrive at their interview venues at least one hour before their scheduled interview time to allow for registration, document checks, and other administrative procedures.
Structure of the State-Level Interview Panels
The interview exercise is being conducted by carefully constituted panels in each state. According to the SWAp Coordination Office, the composition of these panels reflects collaboration among government institutions, development partners, traditional leadership, and academic bodies.
Each panel includes representatives from:
The World Health Organisation (WHO), serving as panel chair
State Ministry of Health
State Primary Health Care Development Agency
Academic institutions
Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the state level
Traditional leadership
SWAp Desk Officer, serving as panel secretary
The Ministry explained that this broad representation is intended to ensure balanced assessment, transparency, and alignment with both national and community health priorities.
Purpose of the National Health Fellows Programme
The National Health Fellows Programme was created to develop a new generation of health system professionals who can support planning, coordination, and service delivery at the grassroots level.
Under the programme design, one Fellow is selected from each LGA, ensuring that every local government area benefits from trained personnel who understand local health challenges and can work closely with community structures.
Fellows are expected to support health sector activities such as data management, service monitoring, community engagement, programme coordination, and policy implementation at the local level.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare noted that the programme places strong emphasis on practical exposure, ethical conduct, and service to communities.
Government Officials Speak on the Programme
Speaking on the interview process, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the programme as part of a long-term approach to strengthening governance, accountability, and service delivery in the health sector.
He commended young Nigerians for their interest and participation, noting that the volume of applications received shows a willingness among youths to contribute meaningfully to national development through public service.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fairness in the selection process and assured candidates that selections would be based strictly on merit and demonstrated capacity.
In a similar vein, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the programme reflects a deliberate effort to build health sector leadership from the grassroots.
According to him, the process has been designed to identify individuals who not only possess academic qualifications but also demonstrate commitment, integrity, and readiness to serve communities.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Kachollom S. Daju, mni, also noted that the NHF Programme is helping to promote transparency and consistency in public sector recruitment, adding that it sets a standard for youth-focused programmes across government institutions.
What Happens After the Interviews
Candidates who perform successfully at the physical interview stage will be selected as National Health Fellows and invited to participate in a residential national training programme in Abuja.
The training programme will expose Fellows to health policy frameworks, leadership development, programme management, monitoring and evaluation, and ethical public service practices.
Following the training, Fellows will be deployed to their respective LGAs for a 12-month fellowship period, during which they will work within health institutions and support ongoing health initiatives in collaboration with local and state authorities.
During deployment, Fellows are expected to contribute to improving service delivery, strengthening community engagement, and supporting innovation within local health systems.
NHF Cohort 2 Applications Still Open
Despite the commencement of physical interviews for shortlisted candidates, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed that applications remain open for eligible Nigerians who are yet to apply for NHF Cohort 2.
The fellowship is open to Nigerians aged 25 to 35 years with a Bachelor’s degree in health-related fields, Information Technology (IT), or social sciences.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate experience or interest in public health, community development, non-governmental organisation work, or similar initiatives that reflect leadership and service.
Candidates must also be indigenes of the state they are applying to represent and be available for full-time participation throughout the fellowship duration.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Successful Fellows will receive:
Monthly stipends to support living expenses during the fellowship
Structured training sessions to build technical and leadership skills
Mentorship from experienced professionals in the health sector
Practical exposure to public health systems at local, state, and national levels
The Ministry stated that the fellowship is designed to prepare participants for future roles in health administration, policy, development programmes, and related fields.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified Nigerians can submit their applications through the official National Health Fellows portal.
Applicants are required to upload relevant documents, including academic certificates, NYSC documentation, state of origin certificates, and recommendation letters from recognized authorities such as university deans, NYSC supervisors, or reputable organisations.
Applications should be completed carefully, as submitted information will be verified during the selection process.
👉 Apply here: https://www.healthfellows.ng
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