FG SEEKS PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO PROVIDE STABLE ELECTRICITY FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

FG SEEKS PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO PROVIDE STABLE ELECTRICITY FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

The Federal Government has called on both local and international investors to support sustainable financing solutions aimed at improving electricity supply to healthcare facilities across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

The appeal was made by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum held in Lagos under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI).

According to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Power, Clement Ezeorah, the forum was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with UK PACT and hosted by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Isiaq Salako.

The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, chief medical directors, development partners, investors, and private sector leaders to explore investment opportunities aimed at addressing energy challenges in Nigeria’s health sector.

Speaking at the forum, Tegbe described Nigeria’s power sector as one of the most promising investment destinations on the African continent, stressing that reliable electricity remains a critical requirement for quality healthcare delivery.

He commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for convening the meeting, noting that electricity is not simply infrastructure but a fundamental pillar for effective medical services, emergency care, diagnostics, and overall hospital operations.

The minister disclosed that he has been involved with the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative since its early stages, even before assuming office, describing the project as a long-standing commitment while reaffirming support for ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Tegbe explained that the objectives of the initiative align with ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises improved infrastructure and economic development.

According to him, the programme presents an opportunity to integrate electricity planning directly into healthcare infrastructure development while deploying grid enhancement systems and renewable hybrid energy solutions specifically designed for medical facilities.

He added that the initiative would also strengthen collaboration between power sector institutions, healthcare authorities, regulators, and private sector stakeholders.

The minister revealed that Nigeria currently has more than 35,000 registered healthcare facilities across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, creating a significant pipeline of viable investment opportunities.

He said these projects have the potential to attract local and international capital into sectors such as solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems, battery storage technology, and energy efficiency solutions.

Tegbe assured investors that the Federal Government remains committed to providing policy support and inter-ministerial coordination necessary for successful implementation.

He noted that the Ministry of Power is already actively involved through the deployment of solar mini-grids and hybrid systems in health facilities under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project.

He further stated that Nigeria’s Electricity Act now provides a strong regulatory framework for structuring Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), licensing mini-grid operators, and enabling greater participation by state governments in power generation and distribution projects.

The minister said the initiative supports the Federal Government’s broader vision of positioning Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading destinations for quality healthcare services.

He reaffirmed the government’s determination to deliver measurable improvements in electricity supply nationwide, with healthcare facilities receiving priority attention, while appreciating investors and development partners for maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s long-term potential.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Isiaq Salako, described the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative as a major shift away from dependence on donor-funded infrastructure toward a sustainable Energy-as-a-Service model.

Salako explained that under the framework, specialised energy providers would finance, install, and maintain reliable electricity systems for healthcare facilities, helping solve persistent energy shortages affecting hospital theatres, vaccine cold storage systems, laboratory diagnostics, and emergency medical services.

He noted that the programme is built on a blended financing structure, institutional readiness, and national scalability, with the initial phase targeting federal tertiary hospitals before expanding to healthcare facilities nationwide.

According to him, the government has also established a new governance structure designed to accelerate implementation and unlock greater private sector investment within the healthcare electrification programme.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve energy reliability in hospitals while strengthening healthcare delivery and attracting long-term infrastructure investment into Nigeria’s health sector.