President Bola Tinubu has launched sweeping energy reforms to end Nigeria’s hospital power crisis.
The agenda promises reliable electricity, improved healthcare delivery, and sustainable systems through innovation, investment, and stronger public-private partnerships.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a sweeping energy reform agenda to end the long-standing power supply crisis crippling Nigeria’s hospitals, pledging reliable, sustainable electricity to safeguard lives and improve healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu warned that unreliable electricity in hospitals is undermining patient safety, increasing costs, and costing lives.
“In surgical theatres, maternity wards, ICUs, laboratories, and emergency rooms across the country, power outages too often compromise safety, interrupt care, and cost lives. These outages cannot continue, and under our administration, they should not. Lives are at stake,” the President declared.
The two-day dialogue, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, brought together policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders to address electricity shortages in healthcare facilities nationwide.
Tinubu described the reform as a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda, integrating health and energy policies into a unified strategy for stronger public services. He emphasised that reliable power is central to improving outcomes, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing patient satisfaction.
The energy reform plan for hospitals is aligned with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and broader power sector reforms. It focuses on:
- Expanding off-grid solar and hybrid systems for critical infrastructure.
- Attracting private sector investment through incentives and fiscal reforms.
- Scaling up public-private partnerships (PPPs) for energy deployment.
- Using blended financing to draw international and local capital.
- Ensuring efficient energy management and long-term system maintenance.
According to Tinubu, the reforms are anchored on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that energy solutions are context-driven, community-owned, and resilient. He stressed that the dialogue should serve as a launchpad for collaborative action rather than just debate.
He praised international development partners for their contributions and urged them to continue supporting scalable, health-focused energy solutions. The President also extended an invitation to private investors, highlighting Nigeria’s enabling environment, favorable policies, and opportunities in renewable and hybrid energy systems.
“Nigeria is open for business. We offer clear frameworks for return on investment and a government willing to partner with credible investors. The benefits are significant for all stakeholders,” he said.
Tinubu further called on health institutions and facility managers to abandon short-term fixes in favor of efficient, maintainable, and community-led systems capable of sustaining healthcare delivery for years to come.
