In a decisive move to fortify its public health system, the Kaduna State Government has formally onboarded 1,800 new health personnel. This mass recruitment, announced by Prof. Bello Yusuf-Jamo, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, on December 22, 2025, represents a critical step in a long-term strategy to bridge the state’s healthcare workforce gap and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
The presentation of probationary appointment letters in Kaduna marked the culmination of a process designed to prioritize merit and transparency. According to Prof. Yusuf-Jamo, candidates underwent rigorous oral and written examinations, followed by comprehensive screening. “The board adhered strictly to transparency, diligence, competence, merit and experience throughout the recruitment process,” he stated, emphasizing that thorough checks were necessary to uphold the initiative’s credibility. The list of successful candidates was publicly displayed at the board’s headquarters for verification, a measure aimed at fostering public trust.
This recruitment is not an isolated event but part of a structured, multi-year plan. It follows a direct directive from Governor Uba Sani, who approved the annual engagement of 1,800 health workers throughout his anticipated two terms in office. This commitment translates to a potential injection of over 10,000 new health workers into the system by 2031, a transformative scale for primary healthcare. Prof. Yusuf-Jamo confirmed that plans are already underway for a second batch of 1,800 recruits, signaling sustained momentum.
The initiative addresses a fundamental challenge in Nigeria’s health sector: the critical shortage and uneven distribution of skilled personnel, particularly in rural areas. To ensure equity, the Kaduna government deliberately distributed the 1,800 recruitment slots evenly across the state’s three senatorial districts, guaranteeing that all 23 local government areas received a fair share. This geographical balancing act is crucial for improving healthcare access in underserved communities and reducing the urban-rural health disparity.
The workforce expansion is strategically timed to complement a parallel infrastructure revitalization program. The state government is concurrently providing improved tools and upgrading facilities in over 70% of the state’s 1,119 primary healthcare centers. This dual-track approach—investing simultaneously in “hardware” (infrastructure) and “software” (human resources)—is recognized as a best practice for sustainable health system strengthening. New staff in refurbished, well-equipped facilities are far more likely to be effective and retained.
While congratulating the new hires, Prof. Yusuf-Jamo urged commitment, diligence, and dedication. The true test of this initiative will be in its implementation: ensuring the new personnel are effectively deployed, supervised, and integrated into the system. Challenges such as timely remuneration, continuous training, and providing a supportive work environment will be key to retaining this new talent. Furthermore, the focus on primary healthcare is astute, as a robust primary tier is essential for preventive care, managing common illnesses, and reducing the burden on overwhelmed secondary and tertiary hospitals.
Kaduna’s ambitious recruitment drive sets a significant precedent for other states in Nigeria. It demonstrates a political will to tackle the health workforce crisis through planned, annual investments rather than ad-hoc appointments. If sustained, this policy could dramatically improve health indices, bring services closer to the people, and create a model of systemic health sector reform rooted in transparency, equity, and long-term planning. The journey from recruitment letter to improved health outcomes is complex, but Kaduna has taken a foundational step that merits close observation.
Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
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