According to the minister, stable electricity is essential for running laboratories, supporting digital health technologies, and ensuring that emergency services function effectively.
kaNo —
In a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system, the Federal Government has pledged to ensure 30 per cent uninterrupted electricity supply to tertiary health institutions across the country by the end of 2027.
The commitment forms part of a broader strategy under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a programme designed to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to more than 35,000 health facilities nationwide.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, alongside the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made this known on Monday in Lagos during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum.
The event brought together investors, policymakers, development partners, and private sector players to explore viable solutions to the long-standing electricity challenges plaguing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Hospitals—particularly tertiary institutions responsible for handling complex medical cases—have struggled with frequent outages, voltage fluctuations, and the rising cost of alternative power sources such as diesel generators.
These challenges have significantly strained already limited healthcare budgets and, in many cases, compromised patient care.
Against this backdrop, Tegbe described the forum as a turning point in the country’s effort to address what he called one of the most fundamental requirements of a functional health system.
“Reliable electricity is not just a utility; it is the backbone of quality healthcare delivery,” he said. “Without it, no healthcare system can operate efficiently,” he said
He stressed that electricity plays a critical role in virtually every aspect of medical service delivery—from powering diagnostic machines and operating theatres to preserving vaccines and medicines through cold chain systems.
It is also essential for running laboratories, supporting digital health technologies, and ensuring that emergency services function effectively.
According to the minister, the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative is more than just an infrastructure project; it represents a commitment to saving lives by removing one of the most persistent obstacles to healthcare access.
“This initiative is deeply personal to me,” Tegbe noted.
“We are not merely discussing electricity; we are addressing a fundamental issue that determines whether Nigerians receive timely and quality healthcare.”he added
The NPHI aligns with the Federal Government’s broader power sector reforms and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to expand access to reliable electricity across critical sectors of the economy.
Under the initiative, the government plans to deploy a mix of energy solutions tailored to the needs of different healthcare facilities.
These include solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems, and improvements to the national grid infrastructure.
The programme also aims to integrate energy planning into health sector development, ensuring that future healthcare facilities are designed with sustainable power systems in mind.
Tegbe highlighted the role of the private sector in achieving these goals, noting that the healthcare electrification space presents significant investment opportunities.
“With over 35,000 health facilities in need of reliable electricity, Nigeria offers one of the most compelling investment landscapes in Africa,” he said.
He identified key areas for investment, including renewable energy systems, battery storage solutions, energy efficiency technologies, smart metering, and facility energy management platforms.
According to him, the government is moving away from traditional, grant-dependent funding models toward more sustainable financing structures that combine public funds, private capital, and development finance.
“This is about building a system that works—not just today, but for the long term,” he added.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr Salako emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated and sustainable approach to addressing energy challenges in the health sector.
He noted that previous efforts, largely driven by government funding and donor interventions, have failed to deliver lasting solutions.
“Electricity is not optional in healthcare—it is essential,” Salako said.
“It powers operating theatres during life-saving surgeries, keeps vaccines viable, supports incubators for premature babies, and enables critical services such as diagnostics, blood banking, and oxygen delivery.
”He expressed concern that many healthcare facilities across Nigeria continue to operate under difficult conditions due to unreliable power supply.
Frequent grid outages, inconsistent voltage, and the high cost of diesel have become routine challenges, often forcing hospitals to ration services or pass additional costs onto patients.
“When electricity fails, healthcare delivery is disrupted,” he said.
“In some cases, it can mean the difference between life and death,”
Salako explained that the NPHI was conceived as a response to these persistent challenges, to create a structured framework that ensures sustainable electrification across all levels of healthcare—from primary health centres to tertiary hospitals.
The investor matchmaking forum, he added, represents a critical step in mobilising the resources and partnerships needed to achieve this vision.
By bringing together key stakeholders, the government hopes to accelerate the deployment of innovative energy solutions that can transform healthcare delivery in the country.
Reliable electricity will enhance maternal and child healthcare services, reduce mortality rates, improve vaccine storage and distribution, and strengthen emergency response systems.
It will also enhance working conditions for healthcare professionals, extend operating hours for medical facilities, and increase patient confidence in the healthcare system.
Tegbe noted that the Ministry of Power has already begun implementing similar projects under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project, where solar mini-grids and hybrid systems have been deployed to selected health facilities.
These efforts, he said, are now being expanded under the NPHI framework.“The power sector will deliver measurable improvements, and health facilities must be among the first to benefit,” he assured.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with both energy and healthcare challenges, stakeholders say the success of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative will depend largely on effective implementation, sustained funding, and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
