The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured that every certified Community Health Officer (CHO) will be employed, reaffirming its determination to close the healthcare gap between urban centres and rural communities.
This commitment was made by the Coordinating Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday during the 5th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for newly qualified CHOs in Abuja.
While recognising the strides made in improving Nigeria’s healthcare system, Salako acknowledged ongoing challenges such as insufficient workforce numbers, infrastructural deficits, and the uneven distribution of healthcare resources. He emphasised that these issues are particularly pressing in rural areas, where over 60 per cent of the country’s population resides.
“You are not just healthcare providers; you are the bridge between government policies and the realities of grassroots health,” he told the inductees, stressing their role as vital first responders within their communities.
Salako underlined the importance of CHOs in promoting preventive care and health awareness, describing them as key to ensuring long-term improvements in national health outcomes.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), describing it as a basic right for all Nigerians. According to him, the administration led by President Bola Tinubu is actively rolling out strategies to realise this vision, including the revitalisation of 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres across the country.
“The government’s policy is clear: no CHO should be unemployed,” Salako affirmed.
“We are dedicated to deploying and empowering community health workers to address healthcare needs, especially in underserved regions.”
He also highlighted the role CHOs will play in supporting the National Health Insurance Authority’s target of enrolling 50 million Nigerians by 2027. Their involvement, he said, will be central to grassroots mobilisation and the expansion of access to care.
Beyond deployment, Salako noted that the government is providing continued backing to the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria to maintain professional standards and ensure the ongoing development of CHOs.
Calling on the new health officers to approach their certification as a “national calling”, the Minister encouraged them to serve their communities with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to innovation.
He further urged Nigerians to support community health practitioners and to adopt a proactive approach to healthcare by embracing preventive measures.
