FG sets up inter-agency committee to power health facilities nationwide

By Kunle Sanni –

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 24-member Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to oversee the implementation of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a programme aimed at ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity supply to health facilities across the country.

The initiative targets the deployment of clean and uninterrupted energy solutions in at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s health facilities by the end of 2027, using solar, gas-powered and other renewable energy sources.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the committee would provide the technical framework needed to translate government commitments into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.

Dr Salako described the initiative as a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health and human capital development agenda, stressing that reliable electricity is essential for effective healthcare services, including vaccine storage, surgical procedures, emergency care and maternal services.

He explained that the NPHI process began in March 2025 with a national stakeholders’ dialogue involving government institutions, development partners and the private sector, which produced a communiqué later approved by President Tinubu. An inter-ministerial steering committee was subsequently established to provide policy direction, while the newly inaugurated IATC is expected to ensure technical coordination and sustainability.

“Without energy, our health facilities cannot function effectively. From operating theatres to labour rooms, electricity is not optional,” Salako said.

The minister added that achieving the 2027 target would help reduce preventable deaths, improve maternal and child health outcomes, rebuild public trust in the health system and curb medical tourism. He also acknowledged the support of development partners, including the World Bank and the Global Fund, noting that their contributions are critical to scaling up investments and technical support.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, said the inauguration of the committee marked a major step towards integrating energy planning into healthcare infrastructure.