An initiative called the “Ignite Campaign” has been launched by the Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund with the goal of training and mobilizing one million young Nigerians as healthcare advocates.
The campaign, which started on July 15 and will last for six months, began with the training of an initial group of 3,000 youths.
This campaign is the start of the fund’s aim to empower one million youths for healthcare advocacy by 2029.
Dr Fejiro Nwoko, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSSF, mentioned, “The Ignite Campaign is a crucial part of our plan to build a healthier Nigeria. Through the training of 3,000 young Nigerians, we are addressing the immediate need for healthcare advocacy and laying the groundwork for lasting change.
Our aim is to empower the youth, strengthen healthcare systems, and ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare.”
The experience gained by NSSF in supporting vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significant deficiencies in Nigeria’s public healthcare systems.
Nwoko stressed, “We believe that Nigerians deserve better, and NSSF is providing young Nigerians with a platform to help shape the Nigerian healthcare system through advocacy.”
She noted that following the successful Wenaija events, NSSF evolved into a community where young health advocates can receive peer mentorship and bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Nwoko pointed out that these efforts target youth indifference towards healthcare and strive to address sector-specific challenges. The fund is arming young advocates with the tools to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
“NSSF’s new approach empowers young advocates to initiate change within their communities. The Ignite Campaign is aimed at inspiring a movement of young Nigerians committed to enhancing healthcare access and outcomes,” she added.