By Abigail Philip David
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), has inaugurated the FCT National Health Fellows Selection Committee as part of the Federal Government’s initiative to recruit Health Fellows across Nigeria.
The committee was formed in line with the National Health Fellows Programme, a project under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative/Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The programme aims to develop a new generation of healthcare leaders through capacity building, professional development, and fieldwork. Fellows will be selected from all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Strategic Investment in Healthcare
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, described the programme as a strategic investment in human resources for health.
According to a statement by Bola Ajao, Special Adviser on Media to Fasawe, the initiative falls under the Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity Programme and aims to recruit talented young professionals as vanguards of the health sector.
Dr. Fasawe highlighted the Federal Government’s efforts to upgrade existing Primary Health Care (PHC) centres and establish new ones, emphasizing that the FCTA, under Minister Nyesom Wike, remains committed to building a strong and functional healthcare system in Abuja.
She further noted that the selected fellows would be responsible for monitoring activities in health facilities, providing feedback to the government, and assisting in healthcare improvements.
Selection Process and Committee Responsibilities
Dr. Fasawe urged committee members to maintain fairness, diligence, and impartiality in selecting the most qualified candidates.
“The selected fellows will undergo training in leadership, public health, financial management, problem-solving, and monitoring & evaluation, all designed to achieve the programme’s objectives,” she stated.
Baba Gana Adam, the Permanent Secretary of HSES and Vice Chairman of the committee, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing health sector reforms. He also expressed gratitude to the FCTA for its efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
WHO’s Role and Programme Oversight
The FCT State Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, provided insight into the programme’s implementation under the SWAp Secretariat, housed within the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
She explained that WHO had issued guidelines for the programme’s effective coordination, including the formation of a seven-member National Health Fellows Selection Committee, which the FCTA has fully complied with.
The committee is tasked with overseeing the selection process, screening candidates, and submitting a semi-final list to the SWAp Coordinator’s office.
Committee Members
The selection committee includes:
– Dan Gadzama
– Teresa Nwachukwu (SWAp Desk Officer)
– Aderonke Akande
– Maimuna Abdullahi
– Danladi Chiya
A Step Toward Strengthening Nigeria’s Healthcare System
The inauguration of the committee marks a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare sector by nurturing future health leaders and enhancing service delivery nationwide.
