FG Inaugurates Inter-Agency Technical Committee to Power Nigeria’s Health Facilities
The Federal 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 designed to ensure reliable and sustainable electricity supply to health facilities across the country.
The initiative targets achieving at least 30 per cent renewable-powered healthcare delivery nationwide by the end of 2027.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the NPHI as a critical pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health and human capital development agenda. He said the newly inaugurated technical committee would provide the expertise required to translate political commitment into measurable outcomes in the health sector.
Dr. Salako explained that the NPHI journey began in March 2025 with a national stakeholders’ dialogue involving government agencies, private sector players and development partners. According to him, the engagement culminated in a communiqué that received President Tinubu’s approval, followed by the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee to provide political direction.
“The technical committee is where the real work happens. You will analyse, review and ensure technical relevance and adherence in every intervention we undertake. Without energy, our health facilities cannot function effectively, from vaccine storage to surgeries and emergency care,” the Minister said.
He stressed that reliable power supply is indispensable for critical medical procedures, noting that theatres, labour wards and emergency rooms depend heavily on uninterrupted energy.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that by 2027, at least 30 per cent of health facilities in Nigeria operate with clean and uninterrupted energy through solar, gas-powered and other renewable solutions. He added that the target is essential to reducing preventable deaths, improving maternal and child health outcomes, restoring public confidence in the health system and curbing medical tourism.
The Minister also acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the World Bank and the Global Fund, describing their contributions as crucial to scaling up investments and technical assistance for the initiative.
Earlier, the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, said the inauguration of the IATC marked a decisive step towards integrating energy planning into health sector infrastructure.
He noted that reliable electricity is fundamental to quality healthcare delivery, supporting diagnostics, emergency services and safe working conditions for health professionals. He further revealed that the Ministry of Power had already deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid systems to several health facilities under the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project.
“The Nigeria Power for Health Initiative aligns squarely with our sector reforms. It provides an opportunity to deploy grid enhancements, renewable and hybrid solutions tailored to health facilities, while strengthening coordination across ministries, regulators and the private sector,” Chief Adelabu stated, pledging continued technical and policy support for the programme.
In their remarks, the Co-Chairs of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye and Engineer Owolabi Sunday, Director of Renewable and Rural Power Assets at the Federal Ministry of Power, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministries of Health and Power for the confidence placed in the committee.
They pledged to exceed expectations and ensure that energy becomes the foundation for the success of ongoing health sector reforms, including primary healthcare revitalisation, maternal and child health programmes and cancer care initiatives.
According to Dr. Salako, the IATC’s terms of reference include leading technical activities for the sustainable electrification of health facilities, developing a national action plan, reviewing project proposals, engaging stakeholders, conducting technical analyses and submitting quarterly reports to the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.
