Federal Government Targets Reliable Electricity for Hospitals

Nigeria plans to improve healthcare by delivering reliable electricity to thousands of medical facilities and reducing dependence on overseas treatment.

The Federal Government has unveiled a major plan to provide uninterrupted electricity to around 30 per cent of the country’s health institutions by the end of 2027. The initiative forms part of a wider effort to position Nigeria healthcare as a leading destination for quality medical services across Africa.

The announcement came during the National Healthcare Electrification Investor Matchmaking Forum in Lagos, held under the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI). The programme seeks to expand access to reliable, sustainable and clean energy through technical partnerships, innovative financing and public-private collaboration.

Officials highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Nigeria loses an estimated $2 billion every year to medical tourism. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also shows that spending on medical-related travel reached $684.72 million in 2025, representing a 6.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

Minister of Power Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe stressed the importance of reliable electricity in reversing this trend. He said, “You cannot run a modern hospital without electricity. Every clean kilowatt we deliver to a health facility is a step toward restoring Nigeria’s confidence in our healthcare system. That confidence, once restored, is an asset that cannot be priced.”

According to Tegbe, the Power for Health Initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to improve healthcare outcomes while strengthening the economy. He revealed that government officials are already engaging investors and developers on a framework that will ensure affordable and sustainable power delivery.

The Power for Health Initiative will initially focus on tertiary and secondary hospitals, including teaching hospitals and universities. The government also plans to extend coverage to markets and approximately 35,000 registered healthcare facilities over time.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Izaq Adekunle Salako, described the programme as a strong example of government collaboration. He noted that power shortages have disrupted surgeries in the past, sometimes with tragic consequences, making reliable energy essential for effective healthcare delivery.

Do you think reliable electricity can significantly reduce medical tourism and improve confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system?