FG Approves New Financing Framework to Accelerate 24-Hour Power Supply to Health Facilities

FG Approves New Financing Framework to Accelerate 24-Hour Power Supply to Health Facilities

The Federal Government has approved a new institutional reform and financing framework aimed at accelerating the electrification of health facilities across Nigeria, as part of efforts to provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity to hospitals and improve healthcare delivery. The initiative targets electrifying at least 30 per cent of the country's health facilities by the end of 2027.

The Federal Government has approved an institutional reform and financing framework designed to fast-track the electrification of health facilities nationwide, marking a major step toward ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for hospitals and healthcare centres across the country.

The approval was granted at the third meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a presidential programme jointly coordinated by the Federal Ministries of Power and Health and Social Welfare. The initiative aims to provide reliable electricity to at least 30 per cent of Nigeria's health facilities by the end of 2027.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Salako, and co-chaired by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe. It was attended by senior government officials, development partners and members of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC), which presented recommendations for implementation.

Speaking during the meeting, Tegbe said the initiative must now shift from policy announcements to the delivery of tangible projects. He described the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative as one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's flagship programmes and stressed the need to commission completed projects rather than focus on groundbreaking ceremonies.

According to him, teaching hospitals, state hospitals and primary healthcare centres should be fully energized to improve healthcare services. He noted that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has already provided electricity to five federal teaching hospitals and several other health facilities nationwide.

Tegbe added that reliable electricity would eliminate hospitals' dependence on emergency generators, improve patient care and reduce operational challenges. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Power's commitment to prioritising funding for the initiative while ensuring prudent use of public resources.

Announcing the decisions reached at the meeting, Salako disclosed that the Steering Committee approved a financing framework to mobilise investments for healthcare electrification. It also endorsed a facility energy management framework that will require participating hospitals to establish sustainable systems for managing energy infrastructure.

He revealed that the committee approved eight private sector proposals for further engagement from about 70 submissions received during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Week held in Lagos.

Salako further stated that Energy Management Teams have already been established in federal tertiary hospitals, while state governments are being encouraged to replicate the initiative in their own health institutions. He added that the programme would be institutionalised through dedicated budgetary provisions and the establishment of a full-time Project Coordination Unit to oversee implementation.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmud Mamman, emphasised that uninterrupted electricity is critical to effective healthcare delivery. He said reliable power is essential for operating life-saving medical equipment, preserving vaccines, supporting laboratory services and strengthening emergency response systems.

Mamman described the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative as a landmark collaboration involving government, development partners and the private sector to address one of the most significant infrastructure challenges facing Nigeria's healthcare sector.

The Federal Government said the initiative reflects its commitment to making reliable electricity a key pillar of healthcare delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that hospitals are equipped not only with skilled personnel and modern equipment but also with the dependable power needed to deliver quality healthcare services.