08/04/2025
*CHPRBN Hosts 5th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for Community Health Officers*.
Abuja, Nigeria – [April 2025]
The Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) has successfully held its 5th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for Community Health Officers (CHOs), further cementing its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and driving forward the nation’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage.
The event marked the formal induction of 930 newly qualified CHOs, the latest cohort of health professionals trained to serve on the frontlines of community healthcare delivery. Since the inception of the CHO program in 1978, over 20,206 Community Health Officers have graduated, each equipped with the knowledge and skills to serve as pillars of healthcare within their communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Alhaji Bashir Idris, Registrar/CEO of CHPRBN, hailed the event as a celebration of both professional achievement and national progress. “This ceremony is more than a rite of passage—it’s a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to a healthier Nigeria, ”
He stated. In his address, the National President, Alhaji Kabiru Yahaya Ahmed charged the inductees to uphold legal and ethical standards in their practice. “Applying these principles daily is key to re-engineering the practice and advancing community health in Nigeria,” he noted.
Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, expressed strong legislative support for healthcare reform. He assured attendees of continued efforts to increase funding, improve maternal healthcare, and ensure services are accessible to all. He also encouraged the inductees to approach their duties with diligence and dedication.
The ceremony featured a keynote paper presented by Abba Salome Chibuzor of the College of Community Health, LUTH, titled “Effective Utilisation of the National Standing Orders: A Tool for Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality in Nigeria – The Role of Community Health Practitioners.” The presentation emphasized the critical role CHOs play in saving lives through the effective implementation of national guidelines and protocols.
Also in attendance was the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who congratulated Dr. Bashir Idris on his reappointment as Registrar/CEO of CHPRBN. He commended the Board’s digital strides and reaffirmed his support for the development of the CHPRBN mobile app, which he described as a vital innovation in modernizing health service delivery.
Dr. Salako further congratulated the inductees, acknowledging their resilience and dedication. “These qualities are the foundation for your future success and for the transformation of healthcare in Nigeria,” he said. The CHPRBN’s 5th induction stands as a powerful reminder of the critical role Community Health Officers play in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture and the importance of continued collaboration between institutions, policymakers, and practitioners in building a healthier nation.