FG Targets Full Electrification of 30% of Nigeria’s Health Facilities by 2027

Nigeria's federal government has approved a new framework to accelerate the electrification of healthcare facilities, targeting reliable electricity for at least 30 percent of its health facilities by the end of 2027. This decision was made during the third meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) for the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI).

The NPHI, a presidential program jointly coordinated by the Federal Ministries of Power and Health and Social Welfare, aims to enhance electricity supply to hospitals and other healthcare centers across the country. The meeting, co-chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Salako, and the Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, brought together government officials and development partners.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe emphasized the need to shift focus from policy to project delivery, highlighting the NPHI as a flagship program of the current administration. He stressed prioritizing the energization of teaching hospitals, state hospitals, and primary healthcare centers. Tegbe noted that reliable electricity would reduce hospitals' reliance on diesel generators, improve patient care, and enhance the operation of critical medical equipment.

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The program had reached a stage where emphasis must shift from policy announcements to the delivery of completed projects capable of improving healthcare services across the country.

The Steering Committee approved a financing framework to mobilize investments for healthcare electrification and adopted a facility energy management framework. This framework will require participating hospitals to establish sustainable systems for managing their energy infrastructure. Eight private sector proposals were also approved for further engagement out of approximately 70 submissions received during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Week.

Energy Management Teams have been established in federal tertiary hospitals, and state governments are encouraged to create similar structures. This institutionalization effort includes dedicated budgetary provisions and a full-time Project Coordination Unit to ensure the initiative's long-term success. The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has already provided electricity to several health facilities nationwide.

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Reliable electricity would significantly reduce hospitals’ dependence on diesel generators, improve patient care and enhance the operation of critical medical equipment.