Nigeria is taking a bold step toward improving its healthcare system — and young professionals are being invited to lead the charge.

The Federal Government has officially opened applications for the National Health Fellowship Programme 2025, an initiative recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.

This new programme is all about harnessing the energy, ideas, and innovation of Nigeria’s youth to drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Building the Future of Health Leadership

The National Health Fellowship is a 12-month leadership and capacity-building initiative that gives young Nigerians hands-on experience in transforming the health sector.

The fellowship isn’t just about classrooms or theories — participants will gain real-world experience, learning how to assess and improve health systems from the ground up.

It’s also part of a broader government plan to upgrade existing primary healthcare centres and build over 8,800 new facilities across all 774 local government areas.

Ultimately, the goal is to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for every Nigerian, no matter where they live.

What Fellows Can Expect

Selected fellows will take part in an immersive experience that includes:

Comprehensive training in areas like health systems management, leadership, and digital health tools.
Community-based fieldwork, where fellows will work directly with local healthcare teams to assess and improve services.
Mentorship and networking opportunities with seasoned experts, policymakers, and thought leaders in public health.

This blend of training and field exposure is designed to prepare participants to become the next generation of healthcare leaders in Nigeria.

Who Can Apply

The programme is open to young Nigerians aged 25 to 35 who are passionate about improving healthcare and community wellbeing. To be eligible, applicants must:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, IT, or Social Sciences.
Show interest or prior experience in public health, community service, or NGO work related to health.
Be able to commit full-time for the one-year duration of the programme.
Apply from the state where they are indigenous.
Have basic digital literacy, including comfort with tools like WhatsApp and Zoom.
Provide a recommendation letter from a University Dean, NYSC supervisor, or reputable organization highlighting their leadership qualities and character.

Applicants with strong analytical, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills will have an added advantage.

What Fellows Will Gain

Those selected for the fellowship will benefit from a range of professional and personal growth opportunities, including:

Advanced leadership and healthcare systems training.
Mentorship from top experts in public health and governance.
Practical project experience in improving healthcare delivery within communities.
National recognition and possible placement in future government or health development projects.

It’s a rare chance to build a meaningful career while contributing to a healthier Nigeria.

Why This Programme Matters

Nigeria’s healthcare system faces real challenges, especially at the primary healthcare level, where access and quality often fall short.

This fellowship aims to close that gap by empowering a new wave of health innovators — young people who can create solutions, advocate for better policies, and improve lives from the community level up.

It’s not just about jobs or training — it’s about transforming how Nigeria delivers care to its citizens.

How to Make a Strong Application

If you’re thinking about applying, here are a few tips:

Show how your background connects with Nigeria’s health priorities.
Highlight your leadership experience or community engagement efforts.
Get a strong recommendation letter that reflects your initiative and integrity.
Most importantly, be sure you can commit to the full 12 months — this programme demands dedication.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are now open through the official portal: https://healthfellows.ng/apply/.
No deadline has been announced yet, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

This is more than a fellowship — it’s a national movement to reimagine healthcare in Nigeria, one community at a time.