The Nigerian Government has inaugurated a 24-member Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to drive the implementation of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a flagship programme aimed at ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity supply to health facilities nationwide.
The initiative targets achieving at least 30 per cent renewable-powered healthcare delivery by the end of 2027.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described the initiative as a central pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s health and human capital development agenda.
He said the technical committee would provide the backbone needed to translate political commitment into measurable outcomes in the health sector.
Dr Salako explained that the journey of the NPHI 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.
He added that while the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee provided political leverage, the newly inaugurated technical committee would ensure technical rigour, coordination and sustainability.
The Minister emphasised that uninterrupted energy is indispensable for effective healthcare delivery, noting that activities such as vaccine storage, surgeries, theatre procedures and deliveries in labour rooms depend on reliable power supply.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment that, by the end of 2027, at least 30 per cent of health facilities will operate on uninterrupted and clean energy through solar, gas-powered and other renewable solutions.
According to him, achieving this target is key to reducing preventable deaths, improving maternal and child health outcomes, restoring public confidence in the health system and reversing medical tourism.
He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, especially the World Bank and the Global Fund, describing their support as vital to scaling investment and technical assistance for the initiative.
In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, said the inauguration of the IATC marks a decisive step towards integrating energy planning into health sector infrastructure.
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He noted that reliable electricity is fundamental to diagnostics, emergency services and safe working conditions for health professionals.
He stated that the Power Ministry has already deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid systems to several health facilities under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project and pledged continued technical and policy support to ensure the success of the NPHI.
The Co-Chairs of the committee, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Mr Owolabi Sunday, thanked President Tinubu and the leadership of the Federal Ministries of Health and Power for the confidence reposed in the members.
They pledged to exceed expectations and ensure that sustainable energy becomes the bedrock of ongoing health sector reforms, including primary healthcare revitalisation, maternal and child health programmes and cancer care initiatives.
Under its terms of reference, the IATC will lead technical activities for the sustainable electrification of health facilities, develop a national action plan, review project proposals, engage stakeholders, conduct technical analyses and submit quarterly reports to the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.