The Nigerian Government has established a 24-member Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to oversee the implementation of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a flagship programme designed to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to health facilities across the country.
The initiative aims to ensure that at least 30 per cent of healthcare delivery is powered by renewable energy by the end of 2027.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the programme as a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s health and human capital development agenda.
“The technical committee will provide the necessary expertise to turn political commitment into tangible results for our health sector,” Dr Salako said.
He outlined that the NPHI journey began in March 2025 with a national stakeholders’ dialogue involving government agencies, the private sector and development partners, culminating in a communique approved by President Tinubu.
Dr Salako added that while the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee offers political guidance, the newly inaugurated technical committee will ensure technical accuracy, coordination and long-term sustainability.
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Highlighting the critical role of uninterrupted power in healthcare, the Minister noted that services such as vaccine storage, surgeries, theatre procedures and deliveries in labour rooms depend on reliable electricity.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment that, by 2027, at least 30 per cent of health facilities will operate on continuous, clean energy sourced from solar, gas-powered and other renewable solutions.
According to Dr Salako, meeting this target will reduce preventable deaths, improve maternal and child health outcomes, restore public confidence in the healthcare system and curb medical tourism.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the World Bank and the Global Fund, describing their contributions as vital for scaling investments and technical assistance.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, said the inauguration of the IATC represents a decisive step in integrating energy planning into health infrastructure.
He added that reliable electricity is essential for diagnostics, emergency services and safe working conditions for healthcare professionals, noting that the Power Ministry has already installed solar mini-grids and hybrid systems at several health facilities under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project.
The Co-Chairs of the committee, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Engineer Owolabi Sunday, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the leadership of the Federal Ministries of Health and Power, pledging to ensure sustainable energy becomes the foundation of ongoing healthcare reforms, including primary healthcare revitalisation, maternal and child health programmes, and cancer care initiatives.
Under its terms of reference, the IATC will oversee technical activities for the electrification of health facilities, develop a national action plan, review project proposals, engage stakeholders, conduct technical assessments, and submit quarterly reports to the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.
