LAGOS GRADUATES FIRST COHORT OF NATIONAL HEALTH FELLOWS, ONBOARDS NEW COHORT TO DRIVE REFORMS
… As HC Abayomi Harps on Health Insurance Uptake, System Strengthening
… FG Commends Lagos Leadership As Fellows Pledge Sustained Impact
Lagos State Government on Wednesday graduated the first cohort of the National Health Fellows (NHF) and formally onboarded a new set of fellows, as part of efforts to strengthen health leadership, governance, and system performance in the state.
The event, held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders across federal and state health institutions, development partners, and health professionals to witness the transition from Cohort 1.0 to Cohort 2.0 under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework.
Delivering the keynote address, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the National Health Fellows Programme as a visionary initiative conceptualised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen governance experience among young professionals.
He likened the programme to the National Youth Service Corps, noting that it provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with 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 highlighted the dual realities driving the initiative, including the shortage of human resources for health, worsened by brain drain, and the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery requiring multidisciplinary expertise beyond clinical roles.
He stressed that modern healthcare demands systems thinking, strong data systems, financing models, and governance structures, adding that achieving universal health coverage requires a broad ecosystem of skilled professionals.
The Commissioner commended Cohort 1.0 for their impactful presentations, noting their clarity, data-driven insights, and courage in identifying systemic gaps. He assured them that their findings would be reviewed and potentially presented at the State Executive Council.
While acknowledging initial integration challenges, Abayomi said the Ministry has learned valuable lessons and would improve onboarding processes for Cohort 2.0, including a more structured orientation and strategic alignment.
He further emphasised the state’s priority to increase health insurance uptake, noting that transitioning from out-of-pocket payments to insurance-based financing remains critical to improving access and quality of care.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the National Coordinator, SWAp Coordinator, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, commended the fellows for their commitment and described the programme as a pipeline for future health leaders.
He urged the fellows to balance idealism with pragmatism, noting that improving health outcomes requires navigating complex realities with evidence-based approaches. “Leadership is a verb; it is defined by what you do with the opportunities you are given,” he said.
Pate also highlighted the competitive nature of the programme, revealing that over 300,000 applications were received for Cohort 1.0, underscoring the calibre of selected fellows and the programme’s significance within Nigeria’s health reform agenda.
He encouraged Cohort 2.0 to build on the foundation laid by their predecessors, while also extending condolences on the passing of a fellow, Anita, whom he described as a symbol of resilience and service.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the onboarding as the deployment of “a reform engine into the heart of the health system,” stressing that the fellows are expected to drive last-mile implementation and accountability.
She charged the new cohort to act as performance accountability agents, ensuring that policies and funding translate into tangible services at the community level, particularly within Primary Health Care Centres.
Ogunyemi emphasised the importance of data-driven decision-making, professionalism, and collaboration, noting that the success of health reforms would be measured by outcomes rather than plans.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the programme as a strategic investment in strengthening health system leadership and bridging the gap between policy and implementation.
She noted that the integration of fellows has already improved programme coordination, performance monitoring, and evidence-based planning within the state’s health sector.
Lajide reiterated the state’s commitment to supporting the fellows through strong governance structures and an enabling environment to ensure the success of the initiative.
Earlier, the Lagos State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Chinyere Okafor, commended the quality of fellows selected, describing the programme as timely, given current health system challenges.
She noted that the fellows’ exposure to real-world challenges, including workforce shortages and high out-of-pocket expenditures, positions them as future leaders capable of driving meaningful change.
Speaking on behalf of Cohort 1.0, Mr. Bamidele Oyewumi highlighted key achievements of the fellows, including reaching over 5,000 beneficiaries and implementing community-based interventions such as water projects and environmental health campaigns.
He identified critical challenges within the system, including workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, weak community integration, and low health insurance uptake, while recommending reforms across digital health, governance, financing, and community engagement.
Oyewumi noted that despite initial challenges with system integration, the fellows remained committed to data-driven interventions and sustained impact across local government areas.
He reaffirmed the cohort’s commitment to continued service, stating that the graduation marks the beginning of greater responsibilities in strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
In her closing remarks, the Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, appreciated all stakeholders, including federal partners, development agencies, and health workers, for their contributions to the programme’s success.
She congratulated Cohort 1.0 and encouraged Cohort 2.0 to embrace learning, collaboration, and innovation as they embark on their journey.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards by the cohort 1.0 to the Lagos State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Oyeyemi Ogunjobi, and a mentor, Mrs. Sherifat Ibidunni Lawal, in recognition of their outstanding support.
Awards were also presented by the Lagos State Government to outstanding fellows, with Mr. Olarinoye Sikiru Adeola emerging as Most Outstanding, Miss Afolabi Toyin Deborah as Most Innovative, and Miss Olumowo Kamilat Yewande recognised for Best in Community Engagement.
The ceremony underscored Lagos State’s continued commitment to strengthening health systems through innovation, leadership development, and strategic collaboration with federal and international partners.
More photos below.
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