In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President on Tuesday called on young participants in the Federal Government’s National Health Fellowship Programme to serve the country with honour, humility and courage, while assuring them that his administration is working diligently to safeguard their professional futures.
The President spoke at the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, held in Abuja, where he described the Fellows as a central pillar in advancing the Renewed National Health Alliance.
The National Health Fellows are drawn from each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. The newly introduced second cohort was selected to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide under a programme driven by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu said he stood before the Fellows with pride, noting that young Nigerians continue to demonstrate that the nation’s future inspires confidence and optimism. He expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state governments and development partners for sustaining the initiative and ensuring its growth.
He stated that efforts were under way to integrate the Fellows into the federal structure and to secure backing from development partners to stabilise their career trajectories. The President also disclosed that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and his team had approached state governments to organise befitting graduation ceremonies for participants as they conclude their fellowship in their respective states. Speaking on behalf of the nation, he thanked the Fellows for their service and encouraged them to uphold a spirit of altruism, which he said would yield lasting rewards.
President Tinubu told members of the second cohort that the National Health Fellowship Programme reflects a Nigeria where merit and competence create room for individuals to attain their full potential. He said his administration recognises the capacity of young people and intends to channel their energy into national renewal, expanding opportunities that offer dignity, purpose and a pathway to leadership.
He also encouraged the Fellows to collaborate closely with traditional and religious leaders to strengthen service delivery at community level. According to him, they constitute the operational backbone that will enable faith and traditional leaders to honour their commitments under the national health alliance. He advised them to introduce structure where systems are fragile, supply reliable data where decision-making lacks clarity and inject renewed energy into communities in need of hope, describing them as a youthful engine driving Nigeria’s health transformation.
Turning to the assembled monarchs and clerics, the President appealed for their backing in advancing universal health coverage, stressing that the administration is committed to building an inclusive and united society anchored on renewed hope. He said hope remains indispensable to national progress and pledged that the government would take every necessary step to restore and sustain it.
President Tinubu further reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue confronting insecurity, assuring Nigerians that the country would ultimately prevail.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, expressed gratitude to the President for what he described as clear and consistent policy leadership. He presented the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report to the President, explaining that the document served as the foundation for dialogue at the summit. He noted that representatives of both Christian and Muslim communities were present to provide feedback, adding that valuable insights had been drawn from their contributions.
The minister also commended federal and state authorities for embarking on what he described as the ambitious Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, as well as for sustaining the inclusive Health Sector Compact.
Traditional rulers and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones attended the summit. Those present included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatsev.
Also in attendance were the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi; Igwe Dr Lawrence Chikezie Agubuzu, the Ogbumechendu of Ezema Olo Kingdom; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi; and the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa Kingdom, Oba Jacob Adetayo Hasstrup.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, and the Deputy President General South of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Razaq Oladejo, pledged to advance community healthcare coverage within their respective constituencies.
