Gombe State has launched the European Union–funded Nigeria Solar for Health Project, NISHP, a major initiative expected to drastically improve healthcare delivery by providing stable, clean and cost-effective electricity to primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The launch 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 deliver, especially 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 said: “We have strengthened the Drug Management Agency to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines and revitalized 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.”
He also noted the growing national and global recognition of Gombe State, including its recent presentation on family planning successes at an international forum in Colombia.
Dr. Jatau 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 her goodwill message, the Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, commended commitment of Gombe State to building stronger health systems.
Ms. Stefanowicz noted that “inadequate electricity remained a major barrier to efficient primary healthcare delivery nationwide.”
She, however, announced that the EU would install more than 0.3MW of solar microgrids to power at least 10 PHCs in Gombe, while enabling over 20 small and medium-sized enterprises in surrounding communities to benefit from improved energy access.
According to her, “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 said the combined projects would advance Nigeria’s climate resilience, decarbonisation and public health goals.
Implementing partners, including Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor and the NTU International tea, explained that the project would provide high-quality solar installations, create mechanisms for long-term sustainability and build technical expertise among state engineers.
They say while the EU will handle the energy-generation components of the project, the state government will provide warehousing and staffing support.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said “the project would improve lighting in wards and theatres and ensure uninterrupted cold-chain operations critical for storing vaccines and medicines.”
Also, the Commissioner for Energy and Solid Minerals, Mr. Sanusi Ahmed Pindiga, said the solar systems would 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 would significantly improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare services across Gombe State.
NAN