The Federal Government has approved a new financing and institutional framework aimed at providing reliable electricity to at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s health facilities by the end of 2027.
The decision was reached at the third meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative, jointly coordinated by the Ministries of Power and Health and Social Welfare.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said the programme had moved beyond policy formulation and must now focus on delivering completed projects that improve healthcare services.
He said priority would be given to teaching hospitals, state hospitals and primary healthcare centres, noting that the Rural Electrification Agency had already provided power to five federal teaching hospitals and several other facilities.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Isiaq Salako said the committee approved a financing framework to attract investment and a facility energy-management structure to ensure hospitals properly maintain their power assets.
Eight private-sector proposals were also cleared for further engagement from about 70 submissions received during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Week.
Energy Management Teams have already been created in federal tertiary hospitals, while states are being encouraged to establish similar structures.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power Mahmud Mamman said uninterrupted electricity was essential for medical equipment, vaccine storage, laboratory services and emergency care.
In a related power-sector development, the Nigerian Independent System Operator and the Canadian High Commission opened discussions on technology transfer, renewable-energy integration, digital grid management, cybersecurity and investment in critical infrastructure.
Separately, the Transmission Company of Nigeria commended the Omelu Community Vigilante for arresting a suspect allegedly attempting to vandalise a transmission tower on the Benin-Onitsha 330kV line.
The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for investigation and possible prosecution.
