The Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated the FCT National Health Fellows Selection Committee.

This is in line with the Federal Government”s plan to recruit Health Fellows in 774 Local Government Areas through a sector-wide approach.

In January 2025, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved and established the National Health Fellows Programme.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in her office, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, urged committee members to be diligent, fair, and impartial in the selection process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are chosen.

She noted that the fellow when recruited, would play a vital role in overseeing activities at these facilities, offering feedback to the government, and performing other key tasks to enhance the nation’s healthcare.

Fasawe observed that the initiative is a strategic investment in human resources for health and a Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme, designed to recruit talented youth and early-career professionals as vanguards of the health sector.

The Mandate Secretary emphasized the Federal Government’s continued efforts to upgrade existing Primary Health Care (PHC) centers and establish new ones across the country.

She added that this initiative aligns with the FCT Administration’s commitment, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, to provide a strong and functional healthcare system for the people of Abuja.

The selected fellows will undergo training in leadership, public health, financial management, problem-solving, and monitoring and evaluation, all aimed at achieving the objectives of the initiative.

The Permanent Secretary of HSES, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the committee, commended Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to improving the health sector.

He also expressed gratitude to the FCT Administration for the opportunity to contribute to efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and addressing the health challenges facing both the FCT and the country at large.

Also speaking, the FCT State Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, explained that the programme is housed under the Sector-Wide Action Plan (SWAP) Secretariat in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

She outlined WHO-approved guidelines to ensure the programme’s smooth coordination. According to Dr. Balami, one of these guidelines mandates the establishment of a seven-member National Health Fellows Selection Committee, a requirement that the FCT has fully complied with.

The committee is responsible for overseeing the entire selection process, screening candidates, and submitting a semi-final list to the SWAP Coordinator’s office.

Members of the committee include Dr. Dan Gadzama, Dr. Teresa Nwachukwu (SWAP desk officer), Dr. Aderonke Akande, Mrs. Maimuna Abdullahi, and Mr. Danladi Chiya.