Tinubu to Young Health Fellows: Serve with Humility, Courage, Honour

• Says Nigeria believes in them 

•First Lady: we’ll together build healthier, stronger generations of children

• Flags off advocacy and awareness campaign for the national community food bank programme

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has charged the young fellows of the federal government’s National Health Fellowship Programme to serve with honour, humility, and courage, assuring them that the government will work assiduously to secure their career paths. Tinubu stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health.

He described the fellows as the driving force towards achieving the Renewed National Health Alliance.

The National Health Fellows are carefully selected from each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. This is the Second Cohort of the Fellows, selected to boost health care delivery nationwide, as part of a programme championed by Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Tinubu stated, “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. I thank the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state governments and all our partners for keeping this vision alive.

“We are working to secure your career paths through the federal structure and support from development partners. I am also aware that the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare and his team have requested state governments to host a fitting graduation ceremony for you in your states as you complete your fellowship. I thank you on behalf of a grateful nation and urge you to carry the spirit of altruism, as it will bring great rewards.”

The president added, “To Cohort 2, the National Health Fellowship Programme represents a new Nigeria where talent and competence help you reach your full potential. This administration recognises and believes in the potential of our youth. We will harness your energy to fuel our renewal and create opportunities that provide you with dignity, purpose and a pathway to leadership.”

Tinubu enjoined the fellows to work in synergy with the traditional and religious leaders to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

He stated, “You are the driving force that traditional and religious leaders will count on to fulfil the commitment they made today as 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.”

The president also urged traditional and religious leaders to support government efforts to achieve universal health coverage.

He said, “We are building an inclusive, united and committed society to renew the hope of our people. The keyword here is HOPE. Nothing good is achieved without our hope, and we pledge to do everything possible to renew it.”

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain the war against insecurity, assuring that Nigeria will eventually win the battle.

Earlier, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, thanked the president for providing the required leadership in policy direction. Pate presented the 2025 State of Health Report to the president.

The minister said, “We have used the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report as a basis for the dialogue. As you can see, Christian and Muslim faiths are represented to hear their feedback, and I think we have carried some important lessons from what we have heard from them.

“We hereby commend the federal and state governments for embarking on the ambitious Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and for the inclusive spirit of the Health Sector Compact.”

Traditional rulers and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones of the country attended the event. Among them were Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatsev.

Others were Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi; Igwe, Dr Lawrence Chikezie Agubuzu, the Ogbumechendu of Ezema Olo Kingdom; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi; and Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa Kingdom, Oba Jacob Adetayo Hasstrup.

President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, and Deputy President-General (South), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Razaq Oladejo, committed to champion community healthcare coverage among the Muslim and Christian faithful, respectively.

The wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also flagged off the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, a programme designed to address the issues of malnutrition among infants across the country.

The event was held during the First National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja.

According to Mrs Tinubu, “This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address Child Malnutrition across the nation.

“We are collaborating with the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank program in April, 2026.This programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to the national response to ending child malnutrition.”

The first lady stressed that the support and cooperation of the traditional and religious leaders was crucial for the success of the programme, which would ultimately ensure a healthier future generation of Nigerians.

She stated, “The programme will operate through the nationwide network of Primary Health Centres to identify and register eligible families with children under six years old.

“Caregivers will receive counselling and be given food vouchers that they can redeem for nutritious locally grown foods at food banks that will be established close to the health centres.

“This initiative will be funded through a trust fund by willing private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians and to ensure accountability, the Trust Fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians. We will be needing a lot of support from you, our revered traditional and religious leaders, to raise awareness and sensitize households to ensure no eligible family is left behind as we roll out the programme nationwide.”

She also congratulated the health volunteers, the National Health Fellows.

“I wish you all success as you commence this journey to contribute to our beloved nation, while learning and building your skills,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

Earlier, in his remarks, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate, emphasised the importance of human resources to the growth and development of any country.

Pate stated, “Without the people of Nigeria, no infrastructure, no oil, no gold, diamond will actually matter.”

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the convening of the first ever Traditional and Religious Summit, saying it is a clear indication of the president’s belief in the pivotal role of these group to the health and well-being of Nigerians.

Pate said, “Before the Nigerian state, there is a Nigerian nation, before a Nigerian nation, there is the Nigerian people. And that is why Mr President prioritizes the health sector in all ramifications.”

He commended the first lady for her effort and contributions to the health sector, especially in the areas of child and women’s health.

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, stated that with the gathering of traditional and religious leaders, Nigeria was becoming more practical in getting it right on health issues.

He said sequel to the flag-off and outcomes of the summit, there would be a greater need for follow-up and peer reviews.

There were also remarks from development partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank, pointing out that the traditional and religious leaders are great assets in the journey of achieving universal health coverage.

Mrs Tinubu would be taking the campaign to each geo-political zones, starting with North- east zone, in Borno State.