UNICEF, with help from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, gave 28 solar-powered Primary Health Care (PHC) centres to the Kano State Government on Monday. These centres are meant to improve healthcare and regular immunization in the area.
This project is part of the CDS3 Health System Strengthening programme. It focuses on 100 local government areas in Nigeria where many children have never received vaccines and don’t have access to basic healthcare.
At the event, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, Ms. Jessica Crawford, said the project came after a 2023 survey that looked at how health centres function and what energy needs they have.
She said 371 health centres across Nigeria were chosen to get solar power. The solar systems were installed from 2024 to 2025 in partnership with eHealth Systems Africa.
In Kano, 28 PHCs were selected because they are in areas with many unvaccinated children, don’t have support from other projects, and lack steady electricity.
Crawford added that the focus was on centres that already offer immunisation, especially Level-2 PHCs, and those with small staff numbers so they could be better supported.
She said, “This is not just about building centres – it’s about making long-lasting changes and creating fair health services for everyone.”
Kano’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, said the new centres will help reach children and pregnant women who have not had any vaccines or basic healthcare.
He said Kano has the highest number of unvaccinated children in Nigeria. These solar-powered centres will help reduce that problem.
Labaran asked communities to take care of the centres and not use them for personal gain.
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Farah, through Mr. Michael Banda, said having constant electricity will help store vaccines properly, allow 24-hour service, and reduce the use of fuel generators.
Farah said the 2023 survey identified the 371 centres needing solar power. The 28 chosen in Kano were picked because they are in zero-dose areas, not part of other projects, have poor electricity, and already offer immunisation.
He said the solar installations, done with eHealth Systems Africa, will allow vaccines to be kept cold at all times, provide round-the-clock healthcare, and cut down on fossil fuel use.
The event was also attended by the head of the State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim, and representatives from the WHO, Gates Foundation, and other partners.
