Lagos graduates first National Health Fellows, inducts new cohort
The Lagos State Government has graduated the first cohort of the National Health Fellows (NHF) and onboarded a new set, as part of efforts to strengthen health leadership, governance, and
- By Chinyere Okoroafor
The Lagos State Government has graduated the first cohort of the National Health Fellows (NHF) and onboarded a new set, as part of efforts to strengthen health leadership, governance, and service delivery.
The event held on Wednesday brought together stakeholders from federal and state health institutions, development partners, and professionals to witness the transition from Cohort 1.0 to Cohort 2.0 under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the programme as a visionary initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at deepening governance experience among young professionals.
He likened it to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), noting that it offers participants firsthand exposure to the complexities of governance.
“It is easy to criticise government from the outside, but participating within the system reveals that governance is one of the most complex responsibilities in any society,” he said.
Abayomi said the initiative was driven by the shortage of human resources for health, worsened by brain drain, and the growing complexity of healthcare delivery, which requires multidisciplinary expertise.
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According to him, modern healthcare goes beyond clinical services to include systems thinking, data management, financing models, and strong governance structures.
He commended members of Cohort 1.0 for their data-driven presentations and identification of systemic gaps, assuring that their recommendations would be reviewed and possibly presented to the State Executive Council.
The commissioner also stressed the need to increase health insurance uptake, noting that reducing out-of-pocket payments remains critical to improving access to quality healthcare.
Representing the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the National SWAp Coordinator, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, described the fellows’ programme as a pipeline for future health leaders.
He urged participants to combine idealism with pragmatism, adding that leadership is defined by action and the ability to navigate complex realities using evidence-based approaches.
Umar-Sadiq disclosed that over 300,000 applications were received for Cohort 1.0, underscoring the competitiveness and significance of the initiative.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the onboarding of the new fellows represents the deployment of a “reform engine” into the health system.
She charged them to drive last-mile implementation and ensure accountability, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
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Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the programme as a strategic investment in strengthening leadership and bridging the gap between policy and implementation.
She said the fellows have improved programme coordination, performance monitoring and evidence-based planning within the sector.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Chinyere Okafor, said the programme is timely given current health system challenges, including workforce shortages and high out-of-pocket expenditure.
She noted that the fellows’ exposure to real-world challenges positions them to drive meaningful reforms.
Speaking on behalf of Cohort 1.0, Mr. Bamidele Oyewumi said the fellows reached over 5,000 beneficiaries through community-based interventions, including water projects and environmental health campaigns.
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He, however, identified challenges such as workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, weak community integration and low health insurance uptake.
Oyewumi recommended reforms in digital health, governance, financing, and community engagement, adding that the cohort remains committed to sustained impact.
In her closing remarks, Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, commended stakeholders for their support and urged the new cohort to embrace innovation and collaboration.
Highlights of the event included award presentations to outstanding fellows, with Mr. Olarinoye Sikiru Adeola emerging as Most Outstanding, Miss Afolabi Toyin Deborah as Most Innovative, and Miss Olumowo Kamilat Yewande winning Best in Community Engagement.
Awards were also presented to the Lagos State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Oyeyemi Ogunjobi, and mentor, Mrs. Sherifat Ibidunni Lawal, for their contributions.
The ceremony reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health system through leadership development and strategic partnerships.
