Gombe State has officially launched the European Union–funded Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), a major initiative designed to significantly enhance healthcare delivery by providing stable, clean, and cost-effective electricity to primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The launch event brought together senior government officials, EU representatives, development partners, and traditional rulers.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau hailed the project as a timely intervention that will eliminate power outages in health facilities, reduce operating costs, and strengthen service delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Dr. Jatau highlighted the project’s alignment with ongoing health sector reforms in Gombe State, noting key achievements since 2019. These include increasing health spending from 3.5% to 15%, meeting the Abuja Declaration benchmark, and establishing the Gombe State Contributory Health Agency, which now covers more than 300,000 residents.
He stated: “We have strengthened the Drug Management Agency to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines and revitalised 103 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and 66 clinics under the World Bank IMPACT project, providing solar power, clean water, upgraded equipment, and staff accommodation. We have also ensured 228 PHCs, with at least two facilities in each of the state’s 114 political wards.”
Dr. Jatau also noted Gombe State’s growing national and global recognition, citing its recent presentation on family planning successes at an international forum in Colombia.
He confirmed that the state had fulfilled its 30% counterpart funding obligation of ₦1 billion and praised the EU and other development partners for their continued support.
Delivering a goodwill message, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, commended Gombe State’s commitment to building stronger health systems.
She observed that “inadequate electricity remains a major barrier to efficient primary healthcare delivery nationwide,” but announced that the EU would install more than 0.3MW of solar microgrids to power at least 10 PHCs in Gombe. The initiative will also enable over 20 small and medium-sized enterprises in surrounding communities to benefit from improved energy access.
According to Ms. Stefanowicz, “the initiative is part of the EU’s Global Gateway Programme, which also supports a 320KWp Small Hydro Power Project in Balanga in partnership with UNIDO.” She added that the combined projects will advance Nigeria’s climate resilience, decarbonisation, and public health goals.
Implementing partners, including Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, and the NTU International team, explained that the project will provide high-quality solar installations, establish mechanisms for long-term sustainability, and build technical expertise among state engineers.
While the EU will handle the energy-generation components, the state government will provide warehousing and staffing support.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said: “The project will improve lighting in wards and theatres and ensure uninterrupted cold-chain operations critical for storing vaccines and medicines.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Energy and Solid Minerals, Mr. Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, added that the solar systems will cut costs and reduce environmental impact.
The State Project Manager, Dr. Umar Istifanus Wanda, expressed gratitude to the EU and commended Governor Yahaya for supporting the initiative, expressing confidence that the Solar for Health Project will significantly improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of healthcare services across Gombe State.
