By Adam Muhammad, Gusau
Zamfara State has concluded recruitment interviews for the National Health Fellows Program (NHFP 2.0), marking a key milestone in a federal initiative to strengthen healthcare leadership across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The program, part of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), aims to deploy a new generation of merit-selected professionals to the front lines of public health. While final results are pending, state officials say they are ready to integrate the fellows into the existing health framework to drive systemic reform.
Hon. Sama’ila Kwangwami, Chairman of the Zurmi Local Government Council and state head of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), confirmed that local councils are prepared to provide logistics and operational infrastructure for the fellows.
Addressing regional concerns, Kwangwami emphasized that the safety of the fellows is a top priority.
“Local councils are ready to provide the essential logistics operational infrastructure needed,” Kwangwami said.
“The safety of the fellows will be paramount, considering the security situation of the state.”
To ensure the program succeeds at the grassroots level, the selection process included traditional leadership. Alhaji Sambo A. Sambo, secretary to the Gusau Emirate Council, served on the interview panel to vet candidates for cultural competence and community compatibility.
Malam Sirajo Gusau, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, described the recruitment as “credible, fair and just,” noting that the fellows will act as catalysts for modernizing healthcare delivery.
Dr. Abdullahi Wanzamai, the SWAp Desk Officer maintained that the process remained strictly merit-based to ensure only the most capable professionals reach the local level.
