The Federal Government has approved a new institutional and financing framework to accelerate the electrification of healthcare facilities across Nigeria, setting a target of providing reliable electricity to at least 30 percent of the country’s health facilities by the end of 2027.
The decision was reached during 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 to improve electricity supply to hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide.
The meeting was chaired by Iziaq Salako and co-chaired by Joseph Tegbe, with senior government officials, development partners and members of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee in attendance.
Speaking at the meeting, Tegbe said the initiative had moved beyond policy formulation and was now focused on delivering completed projects that would improve healthcare services across the country. He described the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative as one of the flagship programmes of President Bola Tinubu‘s administration.
The minister said priority would be given to electrifying teaching hospitals, state hospitals and primary healthcare centres. He noted that the Rural Electrification Agency has already provided electricity to five federal teaching hospitals and several other healthcare facilities across the country.
According to Tegbe, reliable electricity will reduce hospitals’ dependence on diesel generators, improve patient care and ensure the efficient operation of life-saving medical equipment. He added that the Ministry of Power would continue to prioritise funding for the initiative while ensuring value for public investment.
Salako disclosed that the Steering Committee approved a financing framework aimed at mobilising investments for healthcare electrification. The committee also adopted a facility energy management framework that requires participating hospitals to establish sustainable systems for managing their electricity infrastructure.
He further revealed that eight private sector proposals were selected for further engagement from about 70 submissions received during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Week held in Lagos.
According to the minister, Energy Management Teams have already been established in federal tertiary hospitals, while state governments are being encouraged to create similar structures and provide dedicated budgetary support to institutionalise the programme nationwide.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmud Mamman, described uninterrupted electricity as essential for modern healthcare delivery, noting that dependable power is critical for operating medical equipment, preserving vaccines, supporting laboratories and strengthening emergency response systems.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Independent System Operator and the Canadian High Commission have identified areas of collaboration to modernise Nigeria’s electricity sector through technology transfer, renewable energy integration, digital transformation, capacity development and investment in critical power infrastructure.
During a visit to NISO headquarters in Abuja, Canadian High Commissioner David Sproule met with the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, **Abdu Bello Mohammed>, who highlighted NISO’s role under the Electricity Act 2023 in system operations, electricity market management, grid planning and enforcement of market rules.
Mohammed said NISO is driving electricity sector modernisation through the deployment of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Energy Management Systems, advanced electricity market trading platforms, telemetry infrastructure and Advanced Metering Infrastructure, while also promoting renewable energy integration and public-private partnerships.
Sproule reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition by sharing expertise in electricity market operations, renewable energy integration, energy storage technologies, cybersecurity and digital grid management.
In a related development, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has commended the Omelu Community Vigilante for arresting a suspected vandal allegedly attempting to damage one of its transmission towers along the Benin-Onitsha 330kV transmission line.
READ MORE:Â Â ICPC Clears Gbajabiamila, Recommends Fake Agency Prosecution
The suspect, identified as Humphry Analafrom, was reportedly apprehended during a routine patrol in the early hours of August 2 while allegedly trying to loosen components at the base of a transmission tower.
TCN said the suspect has been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for investigation and possible prosecution. The company also disclosed that preliminary findings suggest the suspect had previously been arrested by the same community for a similar offence but was later released after pleading for leniency.
The company praised both the Omelu Community Vigilante and the NSCDC for protecting critical national electricity infrastructure and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around power installations.
