FG to convene national dialogue on sustainable power for health sector

By Kunle Sanni –

The federal government will hold a two-day National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector from September 9 to 10 at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, with President Bola Tinubu attending as Special Guest of Honour.

The event, themed “Powering Health Through Public-Private Synergy: Energising Nigeria’s Health Sector for the Future,” will bring together policymakers, healthcare leaders, energy experts, development partners, and private sector innovators to tackle the persistent challenge of unreliable electricity in health facilities.

A key highlight of the meeting will be the signing of a Power and Health Compact, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing sustainable, uninterrupted electricity to tertiary hospitals as part of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the health sector’s 4-Point Agenda.

Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the urgency of the initiative: “Power is health. Without reliable electricity, vaccines spoil, surgeries stall, and lives are lost. This dialogue is about securing Nigeria’s health facilities with sustainable energy — saving lives today and safeguarding our future.”

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the forum will focus on practical solutions: “A hospital without power is a hospital without hope. We are setting the stage for solutions that benefit patients and frontline workers.”

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, described the dialogue as a landmark step to attract investment and deploy climate-smart energy systems in the health sector.

The programme will assess Nigeria’s energy policy framework, showcase renewable and backup power solutions, explore innovative financing models, and strengthen public-private partnerships. It will also feature a Technology and Innovation Exhibition, where companies and startups can present energy products tailored for hospitals and clinics.

Officials said the dialogue aims to build a collaborative framework to ensure consistent, cost-effective power across all levels of healthcare — a critical move to improve service delivery, save lives, and boost confidence in Nigeria’s health system.