Private investors key to powering healthcare facilities, says minister
Lagos, June 2026 (NAN) The Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, on Monday rallied private investors to support the electrification of healthcare facilities nationwide, saying reliable electricity is critical to saving lives and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Tegbe made the appeal at the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI) Forum in Lagos, where stakeholders from the health and energy sectors gathered to explore sustainable solutions to the country’s healthcare electrification challenges.
He said hospitals require dependable electricity for diagnostics, surgical procedures, vaccine storage, emergency response and digital health services.
“No healthcare system can function effectively without reliable electricity supply,” he said.
According to him, the forum provides a platform to attract investment into Nigeria’s health and energy sectors.
“We are not merely discussing electricity. We are discussing saving lives,” he added.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s more than 35,000 registered healthcare facilities present significant investment opportunities for both local and foreign investors.
He said the Federal Government was seeking to attract private capital to the sector and reduce reliance on grants and donor funding.
Tegbe acknowledged concerns by investors over cost recovery and policy consistency but assured them that the Electricity Act provides investment protection and supports structured power purchase agreements.
He said government had already deployed solar mini-grids and hybrid power systems in some health facilities across the country.
According to him, additional healthcare electrification projects are expected to come on stream in the coming months.
Tegbe said improved electricity supply would enhance confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system and help reduce medical tourism.
Also, Chairman, Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, Prof. Saad Ahmed, welcomed the initiative.
Ahmed said affordable and reliable electricity remained essential for the delivery of quality healthcare services.
He commended the collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Power in advancing the programme.
“The need for accessible, affordable and clean energy is imperative,” he said.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) also pledged continued support for the initiative.
The REA Executive Director, Technical Services, Mr Umar Adamu Umar, said reliable electricity was vital for treatment, diagnostics and emergency healthcare services.
“The challenge before us is not only an energy challenge but also a health, economic and development challenge,” he said.
Umar said the agency played a key role in developing the initiative and would continue to support its implementation.
The NPHI seeks to provide reliable electricity to at least 30 per cent of Nigeria’s healthcare facilities by 2027 through public-private partnerships and clean energy solutions.
The programme is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministries of Health and Power, with support from UK PACT and other development partners.
Many healthcare facilities, particularly in rural communities, still face unreliable electricity supply, making private-sector participation crucial to achieving the initiative’s targets and ensuring long-term sustainability.
