The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has announced key resolutions reached at the Third Meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative(NPHI), aimed at accelerating access to reliable electricity across health facilities nationwide.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Dr. Salako said the Committee reviewed the progress made since the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the National Dialogue on Power for Health held in December 2025.
He disclosed that members of the Steering Committee expressed satisfaction with the work of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee, describing the initiative as a collaborative effort involving the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and development partners.
According to the Minister, the Steering Committee approved a comprehensive financing framework for the initiative as well as a facility energy management framework to ensure the efficient operation and sustainability of energy infrastructure across health facilities.
He added that energy management committees have already been established in federal tertiary health institutions, while state governments have been encouraged to replicate the model in their respective health facilities.
Dr. Salako who is the chairman of the Inter-ministerial Committee, further revealed that the Inter-Agency Technical Committee presented several proposals received from private sector stakeholders. “Following its recommendations, the Steering Committee approved eight proposals for further technical engagement and stakeholder consultations” he further disclosed.
The Committee also endorsed the institutionalisation of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative through dedicated budgetary provisions and the establishment of a permanent office with full-time personnel to coordinate implementation.
Responding to questions on the timeline for eliminating power outages in health facilities, the Minister noted that while nationwide eradication of blackouts remains a work in progress, recent reforms in the power sector have created opportunities for broader participation and investment in energy solutions.
He explained that the Federal Government has spent the past eight months establishing the governance structures necessary for effective implementation while simultaneously supporting electrification projects across primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Dr. Salako highlighted the ongoing interventions of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which has already provided reliable power to about 100 hospitals across the country. He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners supporting electrification projects, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
He said the initiative will provide a central national platform for tracking and coordinating all healthcare electrification projects, ensuring better planning, visibility and accountability.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, the Minister stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that at least 30 per cent of health facilities nationwide should have reliable 24-hour electricity by the end of 2027, expressing confidence that the target is achievable through sustained collaboration among all stakeholders.
The co-chairman of the Nigeria Power in Health Initiative and Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, in his opening remarks disclosed that the Ministry will soon commission power projects executed in Federal Teaching Hospitals, Secondary Health facilities and Primary Healthcare Centre across the country.
He further informed the meeting that twelve Federal Universities have already been energized by the ministry, among these numbers , two have being enjoying free energy supply for the past two years, giving example of the University of Abuja as one of the beneficiary.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, said the committee presents strategic opportunity to address power in the health sector, through coordinative, innovative, and sustainable solutions.
She expressed optimism that the recommendations of the committee will assist to ensure better healthcare system.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, rearfirmed the commitment of the Ministry as a key stakeholder to supporting policies and programmes that expand access to reliable health care services, identifying the progress reported so far as testament to engagement of all partners working towards the common agenda.
He expressed confidence that the deliberations and decisions made at this initiative will further strengthen the implementation of the project and enhance service delivery within the Nigerian society.
Ado Bako
Assistant Director Information and Public Relations
4/8/2026.
