Centre for Health Systems Support and Initiatives for Development (CHESIDS) has taken bold strides in advancing youth leadership, gender equity, and community-led action in public health. From tooling emerging public health leaders and dismantling period stigma to strengthening program design through evaluation. Here’s what we’ve been up to:

TNH-PHS Cohort 10 Completes Orientation in Abuja

From 15th-17th July, 2025, CHESIDS hosted the 10th cohort of The Next Hundred Public Health Stewards (TNH-PHS) at our headquarters in Abuja. Selected from 136 applicants, 20 stewards underwent a rigorous three-day orientation exploring essential modules including Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in Public Health, Public Health Advocacy, Public Health in Summary, Financing Public Health in Nigeria, Sourcing/Mining Public Health Data, Field Preparation and Deployment, Government (Federal and State) as a key stakeholder in Public Health, and Job Hunting in the Public Health Space and Facilitated by experts such as Dr. Lilian Anomnachi, Mr. Elijah Idoko, Ms. Rahama Bungudu, Dr. Leo Viashima and Mr. Ekene Chukwuma, the sessions blended lectures, group breakout activities, and reflective conversations. TNH alumni also joined to share real-world lessons from past immersion experiences. The 20 stewards are now poised to begin their 3-month immersion with CHESIDS partner organisations.

Reflecting on Growth and Impact: TNH-PHS Program Evaluation 

Since its inception, TNH-PHS has grown significantly—from just 3 applications and fellows in 2021 to 408 applications in Q1 2024 and 107 fellows by Q4 2024. Most recently, in Q2 2025, the program received 1,161 applications, onboarding 130 fellows (stewards) in its 10th cohort. 

Through this rapid expansion, TNH has remained committed to its core mission: building a pipeline of capable public health stewards who can identify community-level health challenges and craft sustainable solutions.

As the program reached its 9th cohort, the TNH team recognized the importance of pausing to reflect. It was time to evaluate the program’s impact, gather feedback from key stakeholders, and identify opportunities to improve and evolve the initiative.

The objectives of the evaluation were to:

• Assess whether TNH-PHS is meeting its original goals and objectives.
• Identify components that should be sustained, modified, or discontinued.
• Highlight lessons learned, best practices, and key recommendations for future cohorts.

The evaluation process began in February 2025, encompassing planning, implementation, monitoring, and execution. By May 2025, a final report was completed and published on the CHESIDS official website, available here: TNH-PHS Program Evaluation Report for more detailed information. The findings showed improvements not only in content knowledge but also in participants’ understanding of personal branding, advocacy, and leadership. The report underscores the importance of hands-on mentorship and immersive learning for new graduates transitioning into the public health sector.

The Next Hundred Girls with Menstrual Hygiene Management Skills Program in Tunga Maje, Abuja

To commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, CHESIDS hosted The Next Hundred Girls with Menstrual Hygiene Management Skills Program at Junior Secondary School, Tunga Maje. The one-day sensitization event reached 100 adolescent girls aged 9–16 with accurate information on menstruation, personal hygiene, and reproductive health.

Interactive sessions included a fireside chat, myth-busting discussions, a “Agree or Disagree” game, and a practical session on how to properly use and dispose of sanitary pads. Participants received educational materials and sanitary pads at no cost. This effort aimed to reduce period stigma, build confidence, and advocate for inclusive menstrual health education in schools.

Strengthening Partnerships: Stakeholder Engagement Meeting with BICD

In preparation for the launch of TNH-PHS Cohort 11, CHESIDS held a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting with the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) in Makurdi. The meeting explored ways to localize youth leadership development, strengthen state-level public health systems, and ensure a successful program rollout.

This engagement marked a pivotal step in co-creating regionally owned, context-specific opportunities for public health enthusiasts in Benue State.

Next Stop, Benue: Cohort 11 Set to Launch in Partnership with BICD

Building on the momentum of our Abuja activities, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of TNH-PHS Cohort 11, set to hold August 13–15, 2025, in Makurdi, Benue State. This edition is made possible in partnership with the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD).

Twenty young public health enthusiasts will be selected and onboarded through a three-day orientation led by subject matter experts. The orientation will be followed by a 3-month immersive placement in leading public health organisations across Benue. This marks a significant expansion of CHESIDS’s regional impact and commitment to decentralized leadership development in health.

We are proud of the strides made this far and even more excited about what lies ahead. From the field to the frontlines of leadership, CHESIDS remains committed to building a resilient, community-informed health system powered by young leaders across Nigeria.

Stay connected. Stay involved. The future of public health needs all of us.