The Delta State Government has described the National Health Fellowship Programme as a transformative initiative capable of strengthening healthcare delivery across the state while equipping young professionals with critical leadership and technical skills.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onajaeme, made this known during the screening exercise for candidates seeking admission into the programme’s second cohort in the state. He noted that fellows deployed to local government areas under the inaugural cohort recorded measurable improvements in health outcomes and overall community wellbeing.
According to him, the first batch of fellows actively identified healthcare challenges within their respective local governments, developed targeted strategies to address them, and provided regular feedback to relevant authorities.
“The first cohort went into their local governments, identified challenges, developed strategies, and provided consistent feedback.
They worked under mentors and engaged directly with our office for guidance,” he said.
Speaking through the State Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Desk Officer, Dr. Samuel Oyawiri, the Health Commissioner observed that candidates screened for the second cohort have demonstrated increased awareness, confidence, and enthusiasm compared to those of the previous year.
He emphasized that the fellowship aligns with the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda and reflects strong collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Delta State Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Onajaeme further described the selection process as transparent and credible, explaining that three candidates were shortlisted from each of Delta State’s 25 local government areas, resulting in a total of 75 candidates selected from thousands of applicants nationwide. He added that the best candidates would ultimately emerge as fellows following a rigorous three-day interview process.
Also speaking during the screening exercise, the State Coordinator and Head of the WHO Field Office in Delta State, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, said the programme was designed to harness the talents of young public health professionals and deploy them directly to communities where their expertise is most needed.
He explained that the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Delta State Ministry of Health, is jointly conducting the screening of candidates for the programme’s second cohort in the state.
“We are here today to screen Delta State candidates for the National Health Fellowship Programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Pate,” Dr. Salisu said.
He disclosed that the fellowship targets young professionals aged between 25 and 35, with one fellow to be selected from each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Dr. Salisu noted that the programme, now in its second cohort, builds on the successes recorded in 2025, when fellows worked across local government areas and contributed significantly to improved health outcomes and community wellbeing.
Describing the selection process, he stressed that it is strictly merit-based and highly competitive, with strong external oversight mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and fairness.