Oyo Govt Deepens Health System Strengthening as National Health Fellowship Interviews Continue
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its healthcare systems across all the three levels of care, especially at the primary healthcare level with the ongoing merit-based interviews for the second cohort of the National Health Fellows Programme (NHFP), a Federal Government initiative designed to enhance primary healthcare services delivery and improve community health outcomes.
The interview exercise officially commenced on Monday at the World Health Organization (WHO) Conference Room, Oyo State Office, located in Agodi, opposite the Office of the First Lady in Ibadan.
Officials overseeing the process were urged to uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and professionalism to ensure the selection of the most qualified candidates.
Speaking at the screening exercise, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the NHFP as a strategic intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health, coordinated through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) office, to reinforce grassroots health service delivery.
According to her, the first cohort of 33 Health Fellows, one from each local government area (LGA) in the state, has made significant contributions since their deployment. “They are young, vibrant, trainable and teachable, and they have been of immense benefit to the state, particularly in data collection, community engagement and strengthening primary healthcare services,” she said.
Dr. Ajetunmobi explained that the fellows, who come from diverse academic backgrounds including statistics, physiology, biochemistry, and agricultural science, work closely with frontline health workers and communities in their LGAs. She noted that the knowledge of their local communities makes them more acceptable at the grassroots and enhances their effectiveness in supporting health governance, leadership, and service delivery.
She added that in the past one year, National Health Fellows in the first cohort initiated and implemented several projects, including health outreaches, facility renovations, and provision of hospital equipment, which are scheduled for formal presentation in the coming weeks.
The Commissioner disclosed that the second cohort will also comprise 33 fellows, one from each LGA, selected through a rigorous and transparent process. She highlighted the diverse composition of the interview panel, which includes representatives from the State Ministry of Health, academia, development partners, religious and traditional institutions, the State SWAp office, and the Primary Health Care Board
“This mix is deliberate, to ensure proper checks and balances. Candidates must demonstrate not only academic excellence but also leadership potential, ethical conduct, resilience, collaboration skills, and readiness to serve,” she said.
On post-fellowship prospects, Dr. Ajetunmobi noted that the Federal Government has indicated plans to absorb fellows after the one-year programme, adding that clearer modalities for engagement have now emerged.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Screening Committee and Oyo State Coordinator of the NHFP, Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo, rated the performance of the first cohort highly, describing their contribution to the state’s health system as “outstanding.”
“If I am not giving them 100 per cent, I am giving them nothing less than 98 per cent,” he said, citing their roles in data collection and analysis, planning, supervision of health facilities, and implementation of health interventions at both state and local government levels.
Dr. Adeagbo explained that the fellows operate across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care under the supervision of the State SWAp office, providing technical support where needed. He noted that they recently played key roles in facility readiness assessments and annual operational plan (AOP) data validation exercises across the state.
On the ongoing interviews for the second cohort, he described the process as seamless, transparent, and highly competitive, with additional eligibility criteria introduced this year, including age verification, residency, and indigene status, alongside academic performance and professional background.
He said the selection process is guided by scoring metrics from the SWAp coordinating office in Abuja, focusing on teamwork, integrity, ethical conduct, and leadership ability, alongside local knowledge and capacity to deliver assigned tasks.
Out of 99 candidates shortlisted for interviews, only 33 will be selected. Successful candidates will undergo federal and state-level training before deployment. During their engagement, fellows are expected to familiarise themselves with local government structures, health facilities, key stakeholders, security agencies, and community leadership to ensure effective integration into the health system.
Dr. Adeagbo expressed optimism that, like the first cohort, the second batch of fellows would make meaningful contributions to strengthening healthcare delivery in Oyo State, adding that the state remains hopeful that future cohorts will also benefit from post-fellowship absorption by the Federal Government.
Members of the State Screening Committee for the National Health Fellowship Program Cohort 2 are Dr Zorto Phillip, the WHO State Coordinator who is also the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Oluwatunmise Adeagbo, the State Coordinator for the NHFP who is the Secretary of the Screening Committee. Other members are Dr David Adewole from the Academia (University College Hospital/University of Ibadan), Dr Iyabo Kareem from the State Ministry of Health (the State Epidemiologist), Dr Adeyemi Adewole from the State Primary Healthcare Board, Alhaji Abdulfatai Oloyede (State WDC Chairman) from the Community, and Honourable Tajudeen Suberu from ALGON.
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