The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) for the newly established Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), aimed at strengthening electricity supply in health facilities nationwide.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the initiative represents a major step toward ending decades of unreliable power in hospitals.
He said the initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s directive to harmonize national efforts and deliver sustainable, round-the-clock electricity to health facilities.
Salako described energy insufficiency in hospitals as an emergency and a major disruption to healthcare delivery. He noted that erratic power contributes to preventable deaths, especially among women and children during labor when power cuts interrupt life-saving procedures.
He explained that the NPHI, jointly led by the ministries of health and power, would coordinate all health-sector electrification projects under a unified framework that leverages government, private-sector, and development partner resources.
“The task before us is enormous, but this initiative is a foundational step toward ensuring no Nigerian is left in the dark as they seek healthcare,” he said.
The minister recalled that the initiative emerged from the first National Dialogue on Power in the health sector held earlier in the year, where stakeholders recommended a permanent, sector-specific coordination mechanism.
“President Tinubu subsequently approved the establishment of the NPHI and directed ministries and agencies to align efforts,” Salako said.
According to him, the committee will provide strategic oversight, mobilize financing, strengthen governance, and ensure accountability for progress under the initiative.
He outlined four key operational structures for the NPHI:
- The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee chaired by the minister of state for health and co-chaired by the minister of power;
- The Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) responsible for technical planning;
- The Project Delivery Unit (PDU) to oversee day-to-day implementation; and
- Facility Energy Management Committees to ensure sustainability at the hospital level.
Salako said the objectives of the initiative include standardizing clean-energy solutions for hospitals, strengthening public-private partnerships, building technical manpower for energy systems in the health sector, and promoting transparent reporting.
“This is not just another committee work. It is a call to duty to save women and children whose lives depend on reliable power in our hospitals,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for their support. He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the World Bank, and private-sector organizations working on health facility electrification.
Salako noted that the NPHI is part of the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative, which aims to expand access to quality care and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“On behalf of Mr President, I hereby inaugurate the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative,” he declared.
