By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Abuja, February 17, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday charged young fellows under the Federal Government’s National Health Fellowship Programme to serve the nation with honour, humility and courage, assuring them of sustained government support to secure their career progression.
The President gave the charge in Abuja during the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, where he described the fellows as the driving force behind the Renewed National Health Alliance.
The National Health Fellowship Programme, championed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, carefully selects participants from each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. The newly inducted second cohort is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
Expressing confidence in the capacity of Nigerian youth, Tinubu said the programme represents a new era where talent and competence determine opportunity.
“Today, I stand here with pride that our young people are proving yet again that Nigeria’s future is not something to fear; it is something to look forward to,” the President said.
He assured the fellows that his administration is working through federal structures and development partners to secure their career paths. He also commended the Health Ministry and state governments for sustaining the initiative and encouraged states to host befitting graduation ceremonies for participants at the end of their fellowship.
Tinubu urged the fellows to collaborate closely with traditional and religious leaders to enhance effective service delivery at the grassroots.
“You are the operational backbone of this national health alliance. Bring structures where systems are weak, data where decisions lack clarity, and energy where communities seek hope. You are the youthful force behind Nigeria’s health transformation,” he stated.
The President further called on traditional and religious leaders to lend their influence to the government’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage, stressing that hope remains central to national renewal. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, expressing optimism that Nigeria would ultimately prevail.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, thanked the President for providing strong policy leadership and presented the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report at the summit. He noted that Christian and Muslim leaders contributed insights to enrich the dialogue on improving healthcare outcomes.
Traditional rulers and religious leaders from across the six geopolitical zones attended the summit, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Tor Tiv, James Ortese Ayatsev, among others.
Also present were the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh, and the Deputy President General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Razaq Oladejo, who pledged to champion community healthcare coverage within their respective constituencies.
The summit underscored the administration’s commitment to inclusive health sector reform, anchored on collaboration between government institutions and community leaders to deepen access and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.